"Crayon Stain Removal" Step by Step To Clean Fabrics, Furniture and Wallpaper

CRAYON REMOVAL

Fabrics:

Place the article of clothing with your childs beautiful art work between paper towels.
Press it with a warm iron.

Repeat this process with a new paper towel.

Then clean with dry-cleaning solvent.

Wallpaper:

Put a commercial spot remover on the surface.

Let it dry.

Then simply brush the crayon off.

Wood Furniture, Furniture Fabrics, Floors, Carpet:

Spray on shaving cream.

Then wipe off your childrens handy work with a paper towel.

More Stain Removal Tips

"Baby Nursery Bedding and Decor" Give Your Infant A Head Start, Make Your Childs Room Stimulate Learning

From a child’s earliest encounter with the world in which they live they are influenced by the environment around them.

The home environment is the first in which a baby is able to explore and learn from. An environment in which a baby is stimulated will encourage them to experience and learn things for themselves. This is one of the most significant aspects of learning – hands on experience. As adults we know that learning something new can only become a useful skill if we have practised it, experienced it and made it part of our everyday life. This is the same for children.

As children grow they become more curious about the world around them and begin exploring further. Providing surroundings which are constantly presenting new learning opportunities help children become accomplished at many basic skills. Things that can help development include alphabet freezes, ‘hands on’ toys teaching shape recognition, numbers displayed around the house, opportunities for painting & colouring, paper to draw on and cut and labels on things around the home.

In terms of deciding when to send your child to playgroup or nursery, this will depend on their development and your knowledge of your child. You are the best judge of this and you will know when the time is right. The sudden change from the safety of home to an unfamiliar place and people can be an unsettling period for your child and you. However, staff are experienced at easing the most reluctant children into new surroundings and involving them in activities within the room. This opportunity for children to interact with others will help them become aware of their needs, not just their own. They soon join the class activities, make new friends and begin their journey of discovery, as do you.

There are a variety of establishments available. Some offer 52 week provision from early in the morning to late in the evening and some offer term time only and there are variations between both. All establishments have to follow the new Early Years Foundation Stage (more information at http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/eyfs/). This forms the basis for all learning from birth to 60+ months of age.

To deliver this curriculum, and more importantly develop a love for life long learning, there are many things one should consider: the venue; facilities; staff; structure, and activities to name but a few.

The venue for the nursery plays an enormous part in the child’s learning experiences. For example, if I was looking for a nursery for a child who was three, then an establishment attached to a school which teaches children from the age of 3 to 18 is going to have far more facilities than one located in a converted house. It would probably have an indoor heated swimming pool which the children would have lessons in with a specialist teacher, a huge hall, lots of outdoor space to play and investigate in. The scope to continue one’s education in one place is vast. Your child would potentially have specialist teachers for music, PE, singing and as they grow all the other subjects too, the chance to interact with older children, have hot food in a dining room and be part of a vibrant community. These are just some of the benefits of being part of a school’s nursery.

Facilities need to be in excellent order and all activity rooms must be vibrant learning environment. The children need to be stimulated by their surroundings and be encouraged to interact with them. There has to be a good selection of toys and other resources to promote creative thinking, play and learning.

The leader should be open, welcoming and friendly and have the children’s development at the forefront of everything they do. Remember: it is not a requirement at present for a qualified teacher to be in the nursery. Most schools have qualified teachers, but other nurseries do have nursery qualified staff often to an equivalent level. There should be a member of staff for every eight children (three year olds) thus ensuring frequent interaction between children and teachers.

I personally favour a structured approach to nursery education and would look for regular elements of maths known as Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy, English known as Communication, Language and Literacy, coupled with reading as and when my child was ready, but balanced within the other four areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Children should be offered a variety of activities, both guided and free choice, coupled with areas for writing, role-play and ICT. After a couple of days I would expect to see evidence of my child’s achievements on display and be invited to look at other areas of their work. When asking questions I hope the staff would be able to offer advice and direct me to someone else if they could not answer my query. In discussing confidential issues I would expect to be seen in a private room and my business not to be broadcast around the nursery.

Above all, the children must be happy coming to school and if they spend their time within a relaxed, stimulating and secure environment then learning will happen spontaneously!

About the Author
Matt Crick is writing for St Mary’s Hall, an independent school for girls situated in Brighton, that offers Pre-preparatory, Preparatory, Secondary and Sixth Form education. St Mary’s was founded in 1836 and is one of England’s oldest private independent schools located in attractive grounds and in easy reach of Brighton’s historic city centre. St Mary’s also hosts a reputable private nursery school that encourages a culture of learning and respect for knowledge at an early age.

7 Fun and Interesting Things You Didn't Know About Your Baby

1. During the nine months between the time you got pregnant and birth, a baby's weight increases 3,000 million times.



2. Between birth and age 2, your baby will quadruple in size.



3. At birth, a baby's brain is 10 percent of her total body weight (an adult is 2%).



4. Whithin only 45 hours of birth, a newborn knows her own mother by her smell. (And a blindfolded mom can identify her own baby by scent alone in a line up of other babies).



5. At birth, babies have the ability to swim.



6. Human babies are the only primates to smile at their parents.



7. A newborn has feet that are one third of their adult length. By age one, their feet are nearly half their adult size.

"Parent Your Children" 5 Ways To Terrific Parenting

Being a parent is the most difficult job you will ever face. Trial and error is inevitable when taking care of children. No child is the same and so they must be treated differently. There are many ways to be a terrific parent, here are just a few.

1. Play with your children! It doesn't matter what you play together, your child just wants to know they are important. Let them decide. This will help you learn more about your childs interests and concerns.
   
   
   
2. Take charge. As backwards as it seems, children like to have limits set for them. Children without limits don't feel secure and will generally act out in frustration and fear. Even adults in a new job, without direction can feel uneasy and fearful. You will find that children without limits will gravitate towards people who will give them structure, because they feel safe.
   
   
   
3. Eating a meal as a family. Statistics show that children who eat at the table with their families will eat healthier. It is also great for family relationships. It is a time to talk about your day. The happy and the sad. The best way to start conversation at the dinner table is to go around and have everyone tell what was the best or worst thing that happened to them today. You'll be amazed at what you learn about your children.
   
   
   
4. Let your children help. Give your children responsibility. When your child is old enough, let them help clean up their toys. Have them take their dish to the sink. This actually gives your child confidence, self-esteem and is great for their development. Start your child young and this will make your job as a parent a whole lot easier later on.
   
   
   
5. Read books together every day. Read to your baby daily. Even from the time they are just new born. Babies love to listen to their parents voice, even if they don't know what you are reading about. This will develop a love for reading books at a young age. Children who are read to will do better in school when they are older.

"Bathtime Tips For Babies And Toddlers" How To End The Bath On A Good Note

Bath time is usually an exciting time for babies and toddlers. I know my little girl comes running anytime she hears the faucet turn on in the bathroom. She is attempting to strip her clothes off, but does not quite know how yet. Most children love water. It's not something that they get to play with often other than at bath time. Splashing and exploring this mysterious substance is good for giggles and squeals. Mom and Dad usually get in on it whether they want to or not. Soon this fun will come to an end and this can cause sadness and even tantrums at times. Here are some ways to help your baby end this adventure in a positive way.

1. Always use a thermometer to test the water. Babies skin is more sensitive than ours is. There are actually toys that test the water for you and will tell you if the water is too hot. I would suggest getting one of these. Another way is to dip the inside of your forarm in the water. This part of your arm is more sensitive and you will be able to detect if the water will be too warm for your baby.
   
2. Wash your baby's hair and body when you first put them in the water. If you wait until your baby is tired of playing or the water has gone cold, then she is not happy and has started fuss. They are less cooperative at this point and do not want to get washed up.
   
3. When washing your baby's hair, don't be too careful. If she never gets water in her eyes, then she will most likely not like it when she is older. Bath time will become stressful for you and her. Exposing her to getting a little water in her eyes while she is young will get her use to it. Then when she is older, she won't have a fear of getting water in her eyes. Going to a swimming pool with a toddler is a whole lot more fun if your little boy doesn't mind getting splashed.
   
4. If your baby is anything like mine, she could stay in the bathtub all day long if I let her. What I've found is, if you drain the tub when it is time to get out, she will suddenly think it is okay to get out. It's either that she is getting cold or that it is just not very much fun to be in a bath tub without the water. It works great for me! It is also great for the safety of my child, because there is no danger of her coming back later and falling in a tub full of water and drowning. Which is a real danger for babies and toddlers. This way offers peace of mind.

These are things that have worked for me. I hope you try them and that they will help you have a more enjoyable bath time with your little one. My little girl and I also enjoy singing songs at bath time. If you think your voice sounds good in the shower, just wait until you hear it in the bathtub.

Designer Baby Shower On A Budget

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Car Seats "What to know for safety"

Children should ride rear-facing in a car seat until they reach at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds. Parents are tempted to turn the car seat around, before the child is old enough, because it is difficult to see the child when they are rear facing. The baby would rather be turned around also, so they can see Mom and Dad. You must resist doing this, because it is not safe. Your babies neck is just simply not strong enough to take the force that is caused by a car accident. So as hard as it is, these guidlines must be followed.

Different Rear Facing Car Seats
There are 2 kinds of rear-facing car seats. There are infant-only seats and convertible seats. Infant car seats are small and have a handle for carrying the seat. Many of these come with a stroller system that the seat can snap into. Infant car seats can not be installed front-facing. Infant car seats can only be used for up to 22 to 30 pounds depending on the seat. Each manufacture is different, so be sure to check their specifications. They are more commonly used for infants, because they can be used as a carrier also. The baby can be set in them in the grocery store, doctors office or where ever you go. Make sure to keep your baby strapped in at all times, to prevent them from slipping out.

Many infant car seats come with a base for the car. You attach the base in the car and then you can just pop the car seat into it. This is nice because you don't have to mess with the seat belts every time you put your baby in the car. You have the option to buy extra bases to use if you have multiple cars. Some car seats can be put in with or without the base. That might be something you'll want to look for. Then if you ride with someone else you won't have to move the base out of your car to use in another car.

Convertible car seats can be used rear-facing until the baby is old enough and then they can be turned around. This saved you money, because you can use the seat longer. These can be used for a couple of years depending on the size of the child. They take up more room and are not meant to be taken in and out of the car. They are rated to be used rear-facing for higher height and weight, so they are great for babies that are bigger or taller.

Types of Harnesses
The 5-point harness is the most secure. They attach on both sides of the babies shoulders and the hips. And then between the legs. These are used in infant only car seats and in convertible car seats.

The T-harness is a padded t-shaped or triangle-shaped shield attached at both shoulders and then between the legs. It would be considered a 3-point harness. These are used in infant only car seats and in convertible carseats.

The overhead shield has a padded tray-like shield that comes over the child's head and rests in front of the baby. This one only applies to the convertible car seat.

Installation

• Always make sure the car seat is tightly installed. The harness should fit snugly around your baby.
• Never use a car seat in the front seat of a car with a passenger air bag. If it inflates, it will cause serious injury to your baby or even death.
• Check the harness slots. They should be at or below your babies shoulders.
• If the seat belts in your car require locking clips, then make sure you use them. All car safety seats should come with locking clips. Check your vehicle manual. Most newer cars do not need locking clips.
• If you are using a convertible seat in the rear-facing position, make sure the seat belt is routed through the correct belt path. Read the instructions that came with the car safety seat to be sure.
• If your vehicle was made after 2002, it may come with the LATCH system, which is used to secure car safety seats.
• Make sure the seat is at the correct angle so your infant’s head does not flop forward. Many seats have angle indicators or adjusters that can help prevent this. If your seat does not have an angle adjuster, tilt the car safety seat back by putting a rolled towel or other firm padding (such as a pool noodle) under the base near the point where the back and bottom of the vehicle seat meet.

Always use the instruction manual that is provided with the car seat. It is the safety of your that is at hand, so make sure you use the car seat the proper way that it was intended.

Does your baby love music

One of the most wonderful forms of self-expression parents can foster within their children is the ability to play music. Happily, it is possible to get started doing so while baby is still in the womb. Raising a musical child has many advantages -– more so than can be accurately calculated. But just for starters, children who retain music into adulthood say it helps them to be happier, more thoughtful and compassionate individuals, and the world certainly needs more of those, I’m sure you will agree.


You can start your baby off right by doing four simple things before birth.

• Sing or hum to yourself and your unborn child. It doesn’t matter whether you do so loudly or quietly just as long as you do it often.

• Listen to a wide variety of recorded music. Play the radio or a CD when you are in the car and fill your home with sound. Go ahead and play the music you love best but spend some time reaching for other types of music that you don’t normally listen to.

• As Professor Harold Hill said in The Music Man, “Think music.” Listen for music when you are walking and listening to other people talking. You’ll soon realize that there is rhythm in the way we walk, cut a loaf of bread or knock on a door and in the sing-song quality of speech.

• If you don’t already know how to do so, learn to play an instrument. If you’ve been playing for years, make it a point to play every day. Playing music is a powerful source of prenatal communication. What better way is there to “talk” to your unborn child than with the music that you love?

Once your baby is born, you’ll want to continue the four basic steps already outlined and add a few more.

• When you play music, place your baby or toddler close to the instrument. Depending on what you play you might place the child under the instrument or on it so he or she can feel the vibrations as you play.

• Dance to the music with your baby or toddler in your arms. Let the child feel the music in his body and associate listening to music with the freedom of movement.

• As soon as you are willing, enroll your toddler into a music and movement program such as Kindermusik or something similar.

You’ll want to avoid a formal music instruction at all costs. It is a little-known truth that our traditional approach does more to stifle natural music abilities than to foster them. After decades in the music business I can safely say that forcing children to read music before they know how to play an instrument is insanity. It’s like expecting children to read before they can talk.

Your child may be ready for music lessons when he has reached the age of five or six. At that point, you should be looking for a music instructor who allows your child to play a great deal, long before he learns to read. To find the best instructor, interview several. Select someone you connect with on a personal level. Be certain that this individual plays all sorts of music without needing sheet music and that they are willing to teach a variety of musical styles from the very beginning. A helpful question to ask during your interview is: How large a repertoire will my child be playing in ten lessons?”

Three Common Mistakes Parents Make With Seperation Anxiety

Saying goodbye is one of the most difficult tasks that people learn in life. Learning to handle separation is an emotionally difficult task that begins in infancy. Too often, parents and caregivers mishandle the child’s transition between them, and the child is left feeling scared and abandoned. “Maybe mommy isn’t ever coming back.” Failing to provide the necessary support that children need, to separate well, may have a negative effect on the child’s future relationships. The parent’s own feelings of anxiety and sadness, or on the opposite end of the spectrum, insensitivity to the child’s emotions, can have a profound effect on a child’s level of separation anxiety. If separating is handled with sensitivity, children develop confidence and independence and feel secure when left in the hands of a loving and competent caregiver.

Mistake #1-Ignore the child’s fears-Many parents think that ignoring a child’s anxiety, anger, stress and fear makes separating easier. Mom or dad might believe that springing the separation on the child and sneaking out, like ripping off a band-aid, won’t give the child time to get worked up, tearful and upset. Other parents may not be sensitive to the fact that separating is a big deal, “Why is he so upset, I am just running out for an hour.” Don’t tell the child his or her feelings are insignificant. Solution: Explain to the child calmly, clearly and briefly, what he or she should expect. Use the same ritual before each separation. For example: enter the room, hang the child’s coat, put the snack away, take out a loved toy, give a big hug and kiss, etc. Do not sneak out or use a distraction to duck out of the room. In new situations, parents should allot adequate time to hang around while the child becomes acclimated to his new surroundings. The parent should reassure the child that mommy/daddy is coming back soon and should expect the child to feel some distress. Separating is tough.

Mistake #2-Emphasize the fun and excitement of the activity-Disregarding that the child is feeling frightened, and instead focusing on how much fun she is going to have, does not ease separation fears. The child may be confused and not understand why she is being left and wondering if mommy or daddy will ever return. While upset the child is not able to focus on the fun things in store for her while mom is away. Solution: Short absences initially (30-90 minutes) are easier for children. Ensure that the child understands what is happening by using the same description of the situation before each separation. “Mommy is going to have her teeth cleaned, remember we passed the dentist’s office on the drive over here? I will be back shortly to pick you up and then we will go to the park and have our lunch. I know that you feel a little afraid because this is a new place to play and I am leaving. Miss Melanie is really kind and happy to play with you, I like her very much. I love you and I am coming back to pick you up as soon as my teeth are shiny.” Explaining what to expect gives the child a sense of control.

Mistake #3-Neglecting to give the reunion its proper consideration-“Grab your coat, let’s get in the car, we are late!”…is not a proper hello after being separated from a child. Having a conversation with the caregiver before acknowledging the child, is also a mistake. Solution: Handling the reunion between parent and child with sensitivity is just as important as the goodbye. The child is relieved that the parent has returned as promised.

Develop a warm and loving routine used for returns. Positive relationship development relies on reuniting with joy and happiness. Using a special routine honors the loving bond between parent and child.

Potty Training-A Simple 4 Step Formula for Initiating Toilet Training

Potty Training-A Simple 4 Step Formula for Initiating Toilet Training. “I’m so done with diapers!” groans a mother as she looks at the high price tag on the jumbo pack of diapers. “Is it time for my child to start potty training?” Potty training is a big milestone for children. But how do parents know when to start? Intuition, expectations, common sense and observation play key roles in initiating potty training.

Step #1-Create a Parent/Child Team Potty training is a combined effort between parent and child. Some parents may assume that they are in charge, while other parents place the child at the helm. In actuality, potty training is a partnership. Parents provide support, potty training tools, books, and dry clothing; children do the “going.” Grasping the concept that potty training is a team effort between parent and child, and not a command and control situation, is critical to success. Strict, impatient pursuit of the goal puts undo pressure on the child, resulting in stress, anxiety and in some cases delayed potty training.

Step#2-Starting early doesn’t ensure quick results In depth research on intensive potty training has proven that initiating the process early is in fact correlated to extended duration of potty training. Those parents who start training prematurely find that the potty training process lasts longer. Children must develop bladder and muscle control before they are able to control toileting. Parents may adhere to this rough timeline of readiness: 15-18 months the child senses that his or her clothes are wet; 18 months the child may urinate on the potty if placed on it; 2- 2 1/2 years the child might alert the parent that he has to go; and 3-4 years the child may have the ability to “hold it” and visit the bathroom alone.

Step#3-Determine readiness by child’s development When deciding to begin the potty training process, chronological age may not be the correct indicator for readiness. The parent should look for signs that the child is developmentally ready. This is especially true for babies who were born prematurely and children who are developmentally delayed. Some good signs of readiness are: child can sit and walk well, child can stay dry for 2 hours or more, child is interested in doing what big kids or grownups do, child is able to follow and execute simple instructions, and child seems to understand what the potty is for and uses words relating to using the toilet. Parents should assess the temperament of the child. Important questions to ask are: is the child able to focus, what is her attention span, does the child frustrate easily, is the child easily angered or discouraged. For most children potty training occurs between 2 and 3 years, with the majority of children potty trained by 4.

Step#4-Go on now, go! Today is the day! Parents should make sure that the child is in good health, and that the household is calm with no impending turmoil such as a move coming up, a new baby being brought home, or a parent going away on a trip. Dress the child in easy to remove clothing like sweat pants with an elastic waist. Snaps, buttons and zippers are difficult for little hands and time consuming to manipulate when the urge arises. To reduce the pressure on the child, allow him to stay in diapers during the early days of potty training. Gradually transition him into underwear for short amounts of time as his dry times become more and more extended. After a meal, nap, or when coming in from outdoors are good times to encourage the child to hop on the potty. Parents should be on the look out for indicators of when the child may have the urge to go. Accompany the child to the potty and stay with him. The visit to the bathroom should be short and sweet; five minutes is plenty of time. Offer reading material, or use a fun potty training tool or toy to make the five minutes engaging. Important: if the child wants to get off of the potty before five minutes, don’t force him to stay. Praise, praise, praise! Little milestones deserve lots of hugs and kisses. It is really something for a little tyke to hop on the potty by herself, pull up her own pants, or make it into the bathroom (even if only to be a little late.) Be kind, patient, sensitive and proud. Don’t scold the child for having accidents, ever.

The Five Senses Of Bonding With Your Baby

I didn’t fully comprehend the need - or the satisfaction that came with it - to bond with my child until he was born and I held him for the very first time. But although the bonding began that day in the delivery room, it didn’t end there. The parent-baby bonding process takes time. But that process will probably be one of the most rewarding times your life. The moments when your baby stops crying when he sees you walk around the corner, smiles at you for the first time, and falls asleep contentedly on your shoulder are priceless. They are all indications that your baby feels safe and loved in your presence. They are all signs that you have bonded. In those precious first weeks of life, your baby responds to you using all five of her senses. Here are some ways to engage her in each one and ensure the emotional attachment you create with your child is healthy –and rewarding – for you both.

1. SOUND – Your baby has been hearing you speak for months before he was born. Chances are he already recognizes the sound and tone of your voice. By speaking gently to your baby or singing lullaby’s to him, even when you are out of his range of sight, you are letting him know you are there. He trusts your voice and every time he hears you, it bonds you to him. And it won’t be long before he talks back.

2. TOUCH – There is little that soothes a baby more than when you pick her up and hold her close. The security she feels increases each time you respond when she cries, rock her to sleep, or let her curl her hand around your finger. Also, research indicates there are many benefits to nurturing your baby with infant massage. This can also be a wonderful time of bonding with your baby. Check into local classes or conduct online research regarding the techniques of infant massage.

3. SIGHT – Is there anything that can compare with the moment when your baby locks his eyes with yours and breaks into a smile? Focusing your gaze on your child sends the message that he has your full attention which is essential for creating a bond with your child. He needs to know he is the center of your world and maintaining eye contact tells him that he is, indeed. 4. TASTE – Of course, breastfeeding is the way your baby will bond through taste. Your milk has a distinct taste that she immediately becomes accustomed to because that taste also is her primary source of nutrition. But even if you don’t breastfeed your baby, the formula you use will become the tasting bond for you and your child. While it’s true that anyone is able to feed a non-breastfed baby, when combined with the other four senses, your child will feel especially secure when you’re the one holding the bottle.

5. SMELL – We all have a unique scent to our bodies and it doesn’t take long for your baby to know yours. It is especially important not to wear perfumes around your baby that might turn him off to you or cause you to be more unrecognizable to him. Clean and fresh is better and promotes a more familiar - and gentler - atmosphere for your baby. The opportunity to bond with your newborn lasts only for a time and then is gone, forever. Whatever you do, make the most of each moment and savor the special time you have together.

Toddler Pillows Tips For A Perfect Little Fit

A toddler pillow is a pillow that is just the right size for a child of two years or more. Prior to age two, use of a pillow of any type is considered dangerous and is not recommended. Babies should sleep without the possibility of snuggling their little heads under a pillow and potentially smothering. Toddler pillows are about half the size of a standard adult pillow and they have their own special pillow cases that are made to fit. A child of two to five or six years old simply can not sleep comfortably on a large standard adult pillow. Their necks and shoulders can not be comfortable because the pillow is too large and too thick. The toddler's special pillows allow your child's head, neck and shoulders to be supported just like yours but in a size proportional to the child's smaller body. Measurements for pillows for toddlers are usually 12 inches by 16 inches in size. Pillow cases for the toddler's special pillow come in a wide range of prints and colors to fit in with any bedding theme you may have in your child's room. When traveling, the pillow for your toddler will be great for carrying in the car for napping or for sleeping in hotels. Since hotel pillows are traditional thick and fluffy, your child will be much more comfy and sleep better with their own little pillow. There are even allergy-proof pillows in toddler sizes available if your child is allergic to pillow fill. You'll even find pillow covers that are toddler sized for additional allergy proofing. If your child doesn't have allergies, you can select down fill for their special little pillow, or you can select polyester fiber fill. Each will last pretty well, but you will pay a bit more for 100% down fill. Now that you know all about toddler pillows you'll probably want to have several on hand so you have enough for sleep overs.

The Importance of Toddler Routines

Routines are very important for toddlers. Routines give structure to their day and help to reduce temper tantrums and crankiness that result from irregular sleeping and eating schedules. Daily routines are great for moms too, whether you stay at home or you work outside of the home. The effectiveness of a daily routine isn't so much what time you do something, but that you do something at the same time every day. Setting a time that works for your family allows flexibility for individual family schedules and needs. Getting enough sleep is very important for young children. Many toddlers need up to 12 hours of sleep at night and at least a 2 hour nap every afternoon. The times that your toddlers sleep will be partly dependent on your family's schedule. Our boys are in bed by 7 p.m. every night, but that time wouldn't work as well for parents who don't get home until later in the evening. Just make sure your children have a regular bed time and a regular nap time. Their bodies adjust to these times and they anticipate those times to sleep every day, even if they don't act like they want to go to sleep. Lack of sleep makes them very cranky and irritable. A regular eating schedule is also very important for toddlers. You know what I mean if you've ever been away from home at lunch time! Children's bodies also become accustomed to eating at certain times, even if we as parents don't always have our own eating schedules. Your toddler's mood will also improve if he or she eats at regular times. Don't forget to schedule times for snacks also. If you let them snack too much during the day they won't want to eat at meal time. Whatever else you want to schedule into your toddler's day is up to you. I take my boys for a walk every morning, and they really look forward to this time every day. It is good exercise for me and they enjoy the fresh air. Nighttime routines are also important for children of any age. Toddlers transition to bedtime much more easily when they know what to expect every night. A common bedtime routine is a bath and reading a story before bed. It is also a good time to occasionally sit down and watch one of your toddler's favorite videos with them. I have found that having a basic schedule for the entire day makes my day go by more smoothly and I don't have to think much about what I'm doing to do during the day. That's really nice when you're chasing more than one toddler around the house. Regardless of how much time you spend at home with your children during the day, anyone can benefit from scheduling family activities. It also helps you to not forget to get anything done! Here is my toddlers' daily schedule:

7:00 a.m. - wake up 7:30 a.m. - get up, get dressed, have breakfast
8:30 a.m. - go for a walk
9:00 a.m. - play
10:00 a.m. - morning snack
12:00 p.m. - lunch
1:00 p.m. - afternoon nap
3:30 p.m. - afternoon snack
5:00 p.m. - dinner
6:30 p.m. - bath, stories
7:00 p.m. - bed

I do most of my housework or grocery shopping in the evenings after the boys are in bed. During play times is when we occasionally go to the park or have grandma or grandpa come over to visit. There is just enough flexibility, while the boys also know what to expect every day. If you don't already have your toddlers into a daily routine, start slow. Regular eating times are the easiest for them to adjust to, new sleeping times may be harder. If you are changing your child's sleeping schedule vary their sleeping time by 10 minutes a day until they are sleeping at the desired time. Make sure your child is getting up at the same time every morning. This will help them adjust to set nap and bed times. Good luck! Setting a daily routine for you and your toddler just might save your sanity!

Halloween Costumes Considerations "Is Your Baby Comfy"

Halloween is soon approaching and you need a costume for your baby. It's not like they can really trick or treat, so the biggest thing for the first year is how cute do they look. It is basically all for show. This can be a fun and exciting for you if you consider a few things first. It is easy to have the cutest costume in town, but will your baby be comfortable in it. How easy will it be for you to care for your baby while wearing her costume?

Tips to Consider When Picking Out Babies Costume
1. Is the fabric flame resistant? Halloween is a time of pumpkins and candles. It is important to have clothe that will not easily ignite. Flame-resistant costumes would be more safe for infants, toddlers and older children.

2. Costumes for babies and infants need to be made so it is easy to put on and take off. Here are some important things to consider when selecting a costume.

• Diaper Changing - Infants diapers need to be changed often. Look for costumes that have easy access. Check to see if it opens at the bottom. It isn't going to be convenient to take the whole costume off to change a diaper.
• Neckline – Does it have a zipper or buttons. Your baby will be happier if you do not have to pull the costume over their heads when you have to put the costume on and off
• Movement – Babies and children will want something that they can move easily in. If the costume is constricting, your child will not be happy.

3. Is the costume made for comfort?

• Sensitivity - A lot of Halloween costumes are not make from high quality fabric. Make sure the clothe is soft and breaths. Babies and toddlers skin is sensitive and they can overheat quickly, so you will want to pay close attention to the fabric it is made of. Cotton is the best if you can find it.
• Buttons, Zippers - When buying a costume for your baby, note the position of the buttons, snaps, zippers, Velcro and other accessories. Make sure they are not next to babies skin.

4. Are the accessories something that could harm your child? Check for things that could be a choking hazard. Look to make sure all decoration on the costume is attached securely.

5. Does the costume have trailing parts? Trailing parts can get caught up and cause strangulation in babies and toddlers, so be cautious when chosing childrens costumes.

6. Does it include a mask? A better alternative to mask for infant and babies would be to have their face painted. Childrens skin can be sensitive, so make sure to use hypo-allergenic products.

Halloween only comes once a year. Will you end the night early and dread next year? You and your child will enjoy every minute of it, if you stop to consider these things.

New Born Babies "The Job That Lasts All Night"

The first time you bring home a new baby, you have no idea what it entails. Responsibilities and challenges you could never be prepared for. At first there will not be such a thing as a typical day and night. Your life will never be the same, but you will adjust. Soon you will find a system that works. Of coarse, you must keep in mind that your baby is growing and changing. Your system will have to change also. Here are some things to to help guide you.

1. Your baby is transitioning from the womb to the outside world. It is important to keep them wrapped tightly. They are use to being secure inside of Mommy. It's nice and warm in there. They are also use to noise, because of the Mother's heartbeat and movement of amniotic fluid. And hello, it's bright out here. Their little world changed over night and it got allot bigger.

2. Breastfeeding is suppose to be the most natural thing in the world. Our bodies were made for it. Then why is it so difficult? Well it definitely takes dedication and patience. Remember that you and your baby are knew at this.

3. Your baby will most likely wake up several times during the night to eat. If you are using formula, she will need to be fed every 3 to 5 hours. Breast fed babies usually need to eat more frequently. Sometimes you will feel that all you do is nurse your baby. This will only last for the first 4 to 6 months. When the baby starts solid foods they will be able to go longer before they need to nurse again.

4. It's amazing how many diapers you will go through in the first couple months. All they ear is liquids, so they are wet all the time. You need to change them about every 2 hours and of course immediately after they have a bowel movement. Be sure to check frequently. If you are breastfeeding, it will be harder to smell that they have had a bowel movement. Until the umbilical cord has fallen off,

5. Sponge baths are great for the first couple of weeks. You can wipe the baby’s hands, face, neck and bottom every day with a soft washcloth with warm water. It is important to keep her bottom clean to prevent diaper rash. You will not want to immerse the baby in water until her umbilical cord has fallen off. It needs to dry out to heal properly. Keep in mind that too much bathing can dry out his sensitive skin. So see what works for your baby. Every other day is sometimes a good idea.

6. Those little fingernails and toenails will grow quickly, and they’ll need to be trimmed regularly so the baby doesn’t scratch himself. Putting socks on their hands can help keep them from scratching themselves. The baby’s nails can be long, even at birth and attached high on the nail bed. You’ll need to gently press the finger pad away from the nail and clip it with a baby nail clipper. You might want to do this when the baby’s sleeping to ensure that she doesn’t jerk those little fingers and toes away! It is very easy to nip the babies skin, so you have to be extra cautious. Some people prefer to tear the nails off, because they are paper thin. It seems strange, but it does work.

The first couple of months you will be busy 24 hours a day. Sleep when you can, even if your not tired, because who knows when you'll get another chance. New babies are not predictable. Change the baby, feed the baby and then change her again. Babies are exhausting, don't be afraid to ask for help. You'll probably need it!

Sleep solutions is an audio program that can teach you how to get your baby to sleep through the night in 35 minutes, 100% guarnateed. This is ideal for parents of babies and toddlers.
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"Child Development" Baby to Gradeschooler and Why They Should Play

Children and playing go together. It is something that children do even when they are tiny babies. It is the way they learn and develop. Pretending is how they can experience things that they would not otherwise be able to do yet. It is not necessary for you to decide what your child will play, but it is important to be involved. Children could play peek-a-boo for hours. Most people don't realize that a simple game of peek-a-boo, helps children develop confidence and security. It helps them know that when you go away, you will be coming back.

When a toddler plays, he is very likely developing his motor skills with every thing he touches. At this age everything is a toy to them. Spoons, bowls, lids, pots and pans, nothing is safe. This is when they are just as excited to play with the box, as with what came in it. So when your toddler dumps out the kitchen drawer for the 100th time, remember he is developing motor skills, he needs to explore.

Preschoolers enjoy playing with others more. They want to use their imaginations with others, playing house, babies, trucks, etc. Their physical and motor skills allow them to do allot more.

School-age children enjoy organized play. Singing songs, playing games, sports, and projects are what keep their attention.

Why is this important to know? Playing is one of the most important jobs of a child. It is hard for adults to understand, but play helps children to develop into what they will be as an adult.

1. Play is just plain fun, giggling and laughing. Who doesn't want their child to be happy? When they are happy, you are happy!


2. Children develop their physical and motor skills by playing. This is how they move their bodies. It is learning reaction time to catch a ball and how to move when throwing a ball. They must learn to match what they see with what their body needs to do. Coordination and balance go along with this.


3. Cognitive learning is the intellectual development of a child. If you tell a child that 2+2=4, he is not likely to remember it or even understand why. But if you show a child that when you have 2 cars and I give you 2 more cars, then you have 4 cars, he will be able to relate to that and make the connection. When a child plays with blocks of different shapes, he can create different shapes when he puts them together. The child is developing concepts through play. Even as adults, sometimes we do not get things until we are physically shown.


4. Play develops socio-emotional learning. Children have to learn to deal with other people. How to treat others and how to react to disappointments in life. Basically they are learning how to act in a social setting. Playing with others requires sharing and being kind to others. When your child loses a ball game, they are helping to develop their emotional learning. When your toddler makes a new friend, she is learning social skills.


5. Play stimulates children to be creative. If your child can't imagine things, then it limits them. Imagination gives them confidence. It means they think they can do anything. Imagination is the best way for a child to express themselves. The more a child can use their creativity when they are young, the more comfortable they will be using it as an adult.


6. Language development increases with play. Toddlers will be able to communicate better the more they hear and use words. So sing songs and say rhymes with them. Say everything you are doing, out loud. I am going to put your socks on. We are making dinner. I am stirring the noodles. Whatever it may be. The more they here you talk, the better their language skills will be. If you play with words, they will be more likely to listen to you, because they are having fun.


7. Playing with your child is a great opportunity to get closer to your little one. Let your child pick the activity. It will let them be in control and allot of times express their feelings. When you watch a child play, it gives you an inlet to what kinds of things they are dealing with emotionally. Help them to do things on their own. When your child says he can't do something, don't just rush in and do it for them. Ask them questions, "What do you think you could do to get this done by yourself." Get them thinking and learning. This will help teach independent thinking. When they figure it out, make sure you praise them for their success.
   

Now that you see how important play is for children, encourage them in it. If you see them struggling in a certain area, then you can work with them by playing. Look at the great person you have become. Just imagine what your children will become if they play, play, play.

The fight of nursing, but I won!

I had attempted to breast feed my first baby, but was not successful. I thought I was the worst mother in the world. How could I not do something so simple. Our bodies were made for this, why is it so hard? It was suppose to be the best thing for my baby and would make me closer to her. When all it did was make me dread feeding her and resent her for makeing me feel like a failure. I was sore and exhausted. It seemed I couldn't feed her enough. She was crying and I was crying. The other dilemma I was facing was nursing in public. It was akward enough in my own home, but babies don't care where they are when they are hungry. They want it and they want it now. This was not how I pictured it to go. After talking to my doctor, I decided to quit. I actually became a little bitter about nursing. There was so much pressure to nurse your baby and I didn't know how to handle people asking me about why I wasn't nursing.

I had two more babies after my first. I decided long before they were born that I would not even attempt to nurse, because all it did was add more stress to an already stressful event in my life. Besides, nursing ruins your beautiful breasts. I don't know what I was worried about. I was a size 32AA. Even those bras didn't fit. I would have worn a training bra, but they didn't make them with padding in them. Needless to say I was happier not trying to nurse with them.

Eleven years later I had another baby. I decided to try to nurse my baby this time. I was very young when I had my other babies, I think this played a big roll in not being a successful nurser. I was determined to make this work. They brought her to me in the hospital after she was born. I had read all the books I could on nursing, but they somehow did not prepare me for what to do. The nurse had to try to help me. It was pretty embarrassing, however I tried not to think about that. I knew I needed help. She had me take my top off, because she said the baby would be more apt to nurse if she was against my skin. She propped pillows up around me to help lay the baby on. My baby did not want to cooperate. It was difficult for her to latch on. I have had breast augmentation and was told my nipples were small by a doctor. I think this might have played a part in her difficulties. That and she was just too tired and kept falling asleep. The nurse assured me that it would not always be this way. She said it wouldn't take the baby long to get the hang of it and then things would be great.

The next day it was the same. She still would not nurse. Some of the nurses were scaring me. They said that if she did not start to nurse soon they would have to feed her a bottle. They also told me that they would not let her leave the hospital if I couldn't get her to nurse. I finally stood up to them and said, "Listen, it's not like I would let my baby starve to death. If she just refuses to eat, I am not against feeding her a bottle." I finally had a great nurse come in, who had me use a pump to make sure that the baby would be able to get milk if she were to nurse. She was concerned that maybe the baby was not getting any milk because of my augmentation. We soon found that everything was working perfectly. I expressed my frustrations with the nurses and their comments to her. She told me not to worry, because babies do not need to eat when they are first born, because their bodies are trying to flush everything out of their bodies. She let me know that when my baby got hungry, she would eat. And guess what, she did!

I was sore for probably a couple of months after that, but after that, it was a great experience. The soreness usually only last for about a month. I am not sure whether mine was longer, because of my small nipples or because of my breast augmentation. I do know that she had a hard time latching on and made a sucking noise every time I nursed her. That went away after about 4 months. Believe it or not, your nipples do get larger. The best thing I found to do is use lanolin. You just put it on your nipple after nursing. You can find tubes of it in the baby department of Walmart, Kmart, Shopko, etc. I have also seen it in the pharmacy area of stores. Make sure it is a pure kind.This is something your baby will be sucking on. It is not necessary to clean it off before you begin to nurse. That's what makes it nice. When your sore, the last thing you want to do is try to clean off your nipple with something. Another thing I tried was to express a little milk and rub it on your nipple after feeding your baby, then let it dry.

I really had no idea what size or kind of bra to get before I had my baby, so I waited until she was born. Then I went to Motherhood and tried on bras. They actually have some really pretty ones. Make sure the clasp is one that you can undo easily. One problem I found is that some of them do not pull down very good. This cause a big mess and the baby has a hard time nursing. They have a great night time bra for sleeping in. That was the greatest invention ever. You have to get one. They are only about $10.00.

I would definitely consider myself a successful nurser. I was able to nurse my baby until she turned one years old. I maybe would have nursed her longer, but once she started to get teeth, it was not as great of an experience. I am so glad she was not a baby that got her teeth younger. I enjoyed nursing so much. I don't know if my baby felt closer to me, but I sure felt closer to her. It's an amazing thing. I am sad for those who are not able to nurse, but want to. I would definitely do it again if I had another baby.

Angela Martinez

Baby Says...

Stop freaking out about the mess! There's always time to clean--but how often do we get to make mud pies?

Love me, even when I'm naughty. I'll only be this age once.

Be patient. I do everything for a reason, but I don't know enough words yet to give you an explanation.

Let me do it. I know you can do it faster and better, but experience is how you got so fast.

Don't expect too much of me. I want to do what you ask and make you happy, but I'm still little.

Don't try to reason with me when I'm having a tantrum. Trust me--I can't hear you over my own screaming.

Keep your promises. It's all about trust. When I'm a teenager, you'll understand why it's so important.

Don't keep asking me if I've been good. I'm not even sure what that means, but if I was bad I'd never admit it!

Don't let me think that you're perfect. I feel a lot better knowing I'm not the only one who makes mistakes sometimes.

Set limits. I can't actually eat a whole box of cookies--I just want to see if I'd get away with it.

By Mary Mohler

Neccesary baby products! What really works!

Having a baby is so exciting. You want to do everything right and you want to give them the best. Being parents for the first time, you seem to buy the brand name you recognise the most. It's kind of like a honeymoon at first. It takes you a couple weeks before you wake up and join the real world. Babies are expensive. Products don't always work the way they are suppose too. If you enjoy spending extra money, great! Nock yourself out! For the rest of us who have to work for our money, here are some suggestions of what worked for me.

• DIAPERS - Babies are so little when they are first born that the best thing is Huggies newborn. Hospitals know best. Most of them use Huggies. This is only for the first couple of weeks or until they grow into stage 1. Huggies is a great diaper, but they are very expensive. I have found others that will work just as well for about half the price. Parent's Choice is Walmart's brand. This would be my diaper of choice. They are basically white, which I like. I hate it when there are bunnies and bears or whatever else and you can see the babies diaper through their cute little outfit. The fastener tabs are elastic so they fit very snug and are comfortable for your baby to move in. I have also tried Targets brand of diapers. They are also good, but they do have little green characters on them. Kroger's Ultra diapers are pretty much the same diaper and also have characters on them. Shopko's brand of diapers are terrible because, the tabs come undone all the time. As long as you keep pants on your baby, they are okay, but as soon as the clothes come off, so does the diaper. I've had one to many experiences with that.
• Wipes - There are a couple of things I look for in a good wipe. They need to be thick enough that they don't rip when you use them. They also need to be wet enough to clean off whatever it is you are cleaning. Huggies wipes are very thick but, they are not very wet. Kroger Value brand are wet enough, but they are really thin. I really like the Kroger Ultra from Smiths and Parents Choice from Walmart. Make sure you buy scented. The unscented smell terrible and then your baby smells terrible.
• Babywash - There are so many kinds of babywash and shampoo there is no way you could try them all. Don't waist money on buying shampoo, because the baby wash is used to clean their hair also. Alot of products will dry their skin outor cause rashes. The best one that I found is just Johnson's baby wash. Huggies brand works good too. Don't use Breck for babies. It's too drying.
• Lotions - I have tried several lotions. What I look for in a lotion is, a good smell that is not overwhelming and does it keep their skin moist all day. The best one I found is Johnson's. They different scents to choose from. I personally like the cocoa butter and the cucumber melon. Gerber's grins and giggles is a good brand too. It works best to apply the lotion immediately after your babies bathe when they still have moisture on thier skin. This helps to seal the moisture in. If they are dry, then you can get your hands wet before you put the lotion on. This will help seal in moisture also.
• Diaper rash ointment - I am not a big advocate of useing ointment every time you change your babies diaper. If you change them often and make sure you wipe them clean every time you do a diaper change, you shouldn't need ointment. Occasionally, your baby will be a little red and the best thing to use is bag balm. It doesn't smell pretty, but it's basically medicated petroleum jelly. Their bottoms are irritated and sore, so it protects their bottom and makes it easy to clean them off when they need to be changed again.

I hope these will help you on your new venture as a mommy or daddy. After haveing 5 children, I have bought alot of products that dissappointed me. I wish someone would have told me what worked for them. These made my life and my giggly bundle of joy, a whole lot happier.