A babysitter is like a consultant–anyone can call themselves one. This doesn’t mean there aren’t throngs of well-qualified babysitters available; it just means formal training isn’t a requirement for getting the job. Babysitters and their qualifications range widely, from the old woman next door who raised her children during the Nixon administration, to the tri-lingual […]
Instilling self-control by establishing and sticking with rules is the name of the game when it comes to reigning in misbehaving toddlers and preschoolers. Self-control — something many adults could brush up on — is a person’s ability to resist strong feelings and temptations because he’s developed the discipline to do so. Little ones learn […]
As the mom of a toddler or preschooler, you are probably well acquainted with the magic of dipping. There’s just something about dunking her meal that can get even the pickiest little one to eat something she might otherwise turn her nose up at. Protein is vital for growth and development, so a dip that […]
If you’re looking for a fun activity for you and your preschooler, (and an unforgettable party treat) these puppy cupcakes are sure to please. If you want to get creative with the dessert, space the treats on a large serving tray and draw icing paw prints from cupcake to cupcake. By the time you’re finished, […]
The best time to send your child off to school depends largely on whom you ask. Proponents of starting kindergarten as early as possible believe it gives a child a valuable head start in life. Opponents argue that holding a child back until he is more mature provides an academic and social edge. Nowadays readiness […]
Your little one may face a culture shock in daycare if your Christian values prevent him from doing things that are common in many daycare centers. That does not mean that you have to give up your values, but you can consider the types of activities and occurrences in state-run and secular daycare centers that […]
In the world of foster care and adoption, when it comes to siblings, keeping them together is always the first choice. Even though in your mind, you see yourselves all running in a field of flowers or dancing in the sun together, hands clasped, laughing joyously, the reality can be a lot different. Flying Legos, […]
The grief that accompanies parental death can trigger psychological side effects for your child. If these psychological effects are long term or if they interfere with your child’s emotional or mental stability, there may be cause to worry. As the mom of a toddler or preschooler, you should provide any explanations, support and attention necessary […]
It’s a time-honored tale: your preschooler is ready for his first pair of skates, and there they are, waiting under the Christmas tree. Unfortunately, you’ve purchased the wrong size, which is how you end up standing in a ridiculously long line at the customer service counter the next day, waiting to return the useless pair […]
A child’s speech development is a very common worry for parents. How long should it be before that cute baby babble turns into words? Should you worry if a child isn’t speaking sentences by age 2? There are a few basic speech milestones for toddlers. However, it is also important to keep in mind that […]
When you first brought your baby home, you knew you’d have to struggle through a few months of sleep deprivation with your newborn. What you didn’t know — because most parents won’t admit to it — is that your sleep struggles might continue into the toddler and even the preschool years. If you feel like […]
Whether you call them pipe cleaners or chenille stems — these cheap and pretty little doodads make crafting loads of fun for little ones. Once spring is in the air, let the fresh air into the house with crafts for the small fry that use colorful pipe cleaners to make the magic happen. Kite The […]
Mealtimes with kids can be frustrating if you find yourself blessed with discriminating little palates. Kids may turn their noses up at foods based on color, texture or just on a funky whim. Although it can be tempting to force kids to eat certain foods, you may set yourself up for major food issues if […]
For busy moms, getting dinner on the table is often hectic, especially with kids who seem to turn their noses up at half of what you make. Macaroni and cheese is one of those universally-liked, kid-friendly dishes that rarely garner a complaint, even from your picky eaters. The key is to being able to make […]
With so much to do planning your little guy’s birthday party, it’s great to keep the cake preparation simple. You can create all of these cakes using common ingredients and decorations found in craft stores, party supply stores or cake decorating suppliers. Think about what sparks your 5-year-old boy’s interest. Does he like sports? Who […]
Let’s face it, most toddlers are picky eaters. As a mom, you want to make sure that your little ones are getting the right nutrition, but how do you make that happen when you can’t get them to eat what you serve? Maybe it’s time to start getting sneaky! Make a toddler-friendly recipe that your […]
Many parents have dealt with a screaming two-year-old refusing to eat. The situation is enough to make even the most experienced parents pull their hair out. Toddlers can be finicky eaters and parents often worry about whether or not their child is consuming enough. Two-year-olds are natural grazers and are often more willing to eat […]
If your former partner has shared or full custody of your toddler or preschooler, you may have concerns about how your tot’s social development will be affected by spending a considerable amount of one-on-one time with his father. That appears to be one area where you can probably breathe a sigh of relief. Fathers can […]
Between the kiddie pool splashing, mud tracking and impromptu caterpillar catching, it’s easy to feel like managing the mess and chaos is harder when your toddler or preschooler is out of school for the summer. Yes, summer is a time for you and your kids to enjoy, but it doesn’t mean your little one can’t […]
Table food: remember how exciting it used to be for baby and you? During her first year, she sucked down jar after jar of pureed green beans, sweet potatoes and chicken a la king. And with a big, bright smile on her face. You clapped and cheered, feeling certain that she — with her diverse […]
Parenting may seem more difficult than rocket science at times. New studies are constantly being introduced with new recommendations on how to parent. Parenting gets even harder when you take into account that each child’s personality is different, and what works for one child is not guaranteed to work for another. Psychologist Diana Baumrind conducted […]
Siblings commonly bicker, and parents often are caught in the middle of the battle when their child yells — “Get out of my room!” or “No, I’m right and you’re wrong!” According to Kids Health, 38 percent of kids said arguments occur in their home every day. If begging, whining, back talk, tattling and arguing […]
The Passover meal is a celebratory dinner full of rich symbolism and history, and is designed to engage the entire family. Prayers are sung, the story of the Exodus from Egypt is told, and everything is done in a special order, year after year, for deeply symbolic reasons. Involving children in the music and the […]
Only two elements are necessary for a successful birthday when it’s filled with candy: You need plenty of energetic activities planned for your little munchkins and you need to be brave enough to take on a group of rambunctious kids filled with sugar. Candies and Cookies Together For a little baker’s birthday party, include a […]
Lions and tigers and a room full of children — Oh my! You’ve decided on the theme for the party, but now it’s time to incorporate the theme into all aspects of the event. At the same time, you need to make sure that you have an adequate arsenal of activities to make sure that […]
Naps are important for kids — and for parents, too! Besides giving kids a some much needed rest during the day, that little block of time gives a mom an opportunity to get some work done — or hopefully a little “me” time to chill a bit. Instilling good sleeping habits in your kids will […]
Few things will turn your hair gray faster than discipline problems with your child. The first time your kid swings a punch on the playground, you’ll probably wonder if you’re raising the next Al Capone. Even scarier, you’ll wonder if your attempts at discipline are making things worse. But if you’re worrying that much, chances […]
According to John Gottman, marriage researcher and author of “Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child,” a poor relationship between parents can affect children’s physical, emotional and social health. As a parent, you may have problems with your spouse — if you don’t there’s probably something wrong with you — but you should be aware of how […]
Your little one will scarcely let you out of her sight, following you anywhere you go — even to the bathroom. The mother-child bond keeps you connected to her, but you didn’t count on her being attached to your hip. The bond helps her form emotional attachments with others and lets her feel loved and […]
Toddlers are notorious for being picky eaters. They tend to prefer to graze throughout the day, rather than sit and eat a complete meal. Also, a toddler will eat a much smaller quantity of food than adults, so it may seem as if your toddler isn’t getting enough food, especially at lunch. If you are […]
English idioms by theidioms.com
