How to Prepare Your Child for the First Day of School

August 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

One of the best ways to prepare your child for the first day of school is to let them know that school is a safe and fun place for them to go. Here are a few suggestions to prepare your child for the first day of school.

Play School

 

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In order to have your child interested in going to school, you can pretend to have school with them. You can pretend that your child is attending school for the first time and play-act a normal day at school. You should start your school play time well in advance from the time that your child has to attend. You should also provide paper, crayons, and books for your child in the same way they would receive them at school.

Talk About It

 

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Let your kids know they have been enrolled in school, and talk about school in an excited, positive manner. It is crucial to let your child know about school as the day approaches. Do not just take him or her to school without discussing it beforehand. Kids need to have time to ask questions about school and get reassurance from their parents about this new experience.

You should discuss the following different aspects of school with your child:

Visit

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One of the best ways to prepare your child for the first day of school is to take them to visit the school while it is in session. Let them meet their future teacher. It might even be possible to allow your child time to play with the children there. Show him the classroom, and allow your child to observe the other children sitting at their desks. That way, when it is your child’s first day for school, they will already be familiar with the environment and the expectations.

Stay with Your Child

For the first day, you can stay with your child if they are upset or nervous about the transition into school. Some parents will spend a few days doing this. If your child is having a hard time, reduce the amount of time you spend each day until your child feels comfortable in the new environment.

If your child is fearful about the first day of school, use these tips to help prepare him or her for this new and exciting experience. These simple preparations can ensure that this is a smooth transition for your child.

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Taking a Break

July 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Parenting is a stressful job; it’s highly rewarding, but since the job is basically 24/7, it can really wear on you. The important thing to remember when you’re a parent is you need some time to decompress and get your energy back. You need times where you have a chance to miss your kids so you can come back rejuvenated and ready to go again. Here are some tips on how to do that:

  • Take time after kids are in bed. Some parents don’t set strict bedtimes and this leads to dealing with kids all the way up to their bedtimes. This isn’t good; parents need time at the end of the day to relax. If you don’t have that, you won’t be able to sleep either. So enforce a strict 8 p.m. rule. This means that whether your children need to go to bed at 8 p.m. or not, they are in their rooms. If they aren’t sleepy, then they can read or play quietly.
  • Take breaks during the week. It’s important to have some time during the week as well. If your spouse works, then have him or her watch the kids at night so you can go out and have some alone time. This could be shopping or just getting a treat and relaxing.
  • Take breaks when you can get them. If you have friends who have kids the same age as yours, take opportunities for the kids to play together. If your parents live nearby, see if they’d like to have some time with them to become closer to their grandkids.
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Exotic Pets Found in Classifieds

July 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

No one sings “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?” anymore. Nowadays, kids are more likely to sing “How Much Is That Two-Toed Sloth?”

Forget Fido and Spot: the latest pet craze is exotic pets, and vendors are stocking the ebayclassifieds with everything from hedgehogs to sugar gliders. Here are some of the craziest, cutest or just plain weirdest exotic animals found in the classifieds.

1). Hedgehog

Characteristics: Having a pet hedgehog is perhaps best compared to having a hamster. It’s cute, small, quiet and not particularly interested in social interaction with humans. Since they aren’t rodents, hedgehogs don’t have the same chewing, destructive drive that rats or mice do.
Average Life Span: Three to four years.
Price Listed: $180.
Good For: People in apartments or people with allergies (Hedgehogs don’t have dander like furry pets, such as cats and dogs).
Not Good For: Owners who want lots of pet/owner interaction.

2). Sugar Gliders


Characteristics: These tiny marsupials live in social “family units” in the wild, so they thrive on social interaction. A sugar glider without social interaction can become depressed or die, so it’s essential to get a pair or a group. Sugar gliders require plenty of mental stimulation, so cages should be outfitted with plenty of toys and climbing equipment. Sugar gliders bond closely with their owners and will gladly ride around in hats or shirt pockets.
Average Life Span: 12 to 14 years.
Price Listed: $225 for a pair.
Good For: Owners craving small, cute pets who are great long-term companions.
Not Good For: Owners looking for a low-cost and low-maintenance pet or owners not willing to make a significant cost and time commitment.

3). Prairie Dog

Characteristics: Prairie dogs are actually quite affectionate pets as long as they’ve been handled by humans since they were young. Make sure your vendor has been properly handling and socializing them since they were babies.
Though the 2003 prairie dog national ban was lifted in 2008, prairie dog ownership is still illegal in many states, so check your individual state laws before purchasing. Prairie dogs need plenty of room to play and social interaction with their bonded owners or they’ll become sullen or prone to behavioral issues.
Average Life Span: Eight to 12 years.
Price Listed: $125.
Good For: Prairie dog fans willing to take the time to bond with their unique pet.
Not Good For: Owners looking for a low-maintenance pet or owners with children, as a child’s sudden movements or excitable nature can make a prairie dog overly anxious or prone to biting.

4). Kinkajous

Characteristics: By and large, kinkajous are still wild animals. These tree dwellers must be handled when young in order to make them tame, but they will never show traditional domestic behavior the way cats or dogs do. Kinkajous need plenty of room to climb and mental stimulation, so be sure to let them climb outside often.
Average Life Span: 20 to 25 years.
Price Listed: $2500.
Good For: Owners with lots of land and lots of patience.
Not Good For: City dwellers, low-maintenance owners.

5). Flying Squirrels

Characteristics: If you get a flying squirrel at a young age and invest the requisite bonding time, your flying squirrel will bond to you in much the same way as a sugar glider would. They are nocturnal, but don’t mind napping during the day in an owner’s pocket or pouch.
Average Life Span: 10 to 12 years.
Price Listed: $150.
Good For: Owners looking for reasonably-priced, moderate exotic pets. Flying squirrels can be kept in small apartments as long as they have a tall cage and opportunities for outdoor stimulation.
Not Good For: Owners with little time for initial bonding or exercise.

6). Fennec Fox

Characteristics: This native desert fox is mostly nocturnal. Unlike other breeds of foxes, the fennec fox doesn’t give off a strong odor. A fennec is a very social animal that, if given proper training and socialization, can make a great companion.
Average Life Span: 12 to 16 years.
Price Listed: $1500.
Good For: Fox-loving fans living in warmer climates.
Not Good For: Cold-weather climates or owners who want a cat or a dog–the fennec fox is a wild animal and will behave accordingly.

7). Wolfdog

Characteristics: Quite simply, the wolfdog is a wolf-dog hybrid. Always inquire about how much wolf your wolfdog has in his genealogy. The more wolf in the bloodlines, the more aggressive, will and overall wolf-like your pup will be.

If this is your first wolfdog, strongly consider getting one with more dog than wolf. Wolfdogs love having room to roam and plenty of mental stimulation.

Average Life Span: 12 to 14 years.
Price Listed: Prices vary widely; anywhere from $600 to $2000.
Good For: Owners with large spaces of land and plenty of time for training.
Not Good For: Owners looking for a dog like a Labrador Retriever or Basset Hound.

A WORD OF CAUTION…

As with any pet, be sure to do plenty of research before you commit to getting an exotic pet of any variety. Do some soul-searching and make sure you’re definitely the right owner for your exotic pet species.
Research your state’s exotic pet laws to make sure your dream pet isn’t illegal where you live. Consider your future plans, too: could you see yourself moving in the future? After all, it’s much harder to find homes for exotic pets than domestic ones. Exotic pets aren’t for most owners–just make sure you’re making the right decision before you adopt one.

Filed Under: Family Fun

Sleep Training Your Infant

July 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Baby Sleeping

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Many parents seem to think that their children will sleep when they get older, but really, children need to learn to sleep and parents can help them do it. Here are some tips for sleep training your infant.

  • Use soothing techniques with newborns. Newborns are not able to get themselves to sleep on their own. Their brains are not developed enough to do it, but you can do things to help soothe them. These include swaddling, swinging, pacifiers, and white noise machines.
  • Putting down the baby when he’s drowsy but not asleep. As the baby gets older, he will start to be able to get himself to sleep if you get him close, especially if he has help through a pacifier and/or swaddling blanket.
  • Start training at 6 months old. When your baby is six months old, she will be ready to get herself to sleep without help and will likely sleep through the night without a feeding, though it depends on the baby. You can help your baby learn to fall asleep on her own by letting her cry until she falls asleep. Check on her every 15 minutes or so to remind her you’re there for her but she needs to fall asleep on her own.
  • Wean your baby from feedings. If your baby is ready to go throughout the night without eating, you can wean the feedings. This is done by waking your baby about an hour before he typically wakes up to eat and feeding him. Each night, reduce how much or how long he usually ate by either 2 ounces or 2 minutes until it’s 0. Then stop waking him up. You may find that he sleeps through the night.
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Helping Your Child to Have a Good Relationship with Food

July 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
vegetables

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As a parent, it’s your responsibility to make sure that your kids get the proper nutrition. This puts a lot of stress on parents as they try to get their wee ones to eat their fruits and especially their vegetables. Unfortunately, this pressure has led to parents using threats and punishments in order to get their children to eat healthy. But at what cost?

When children are forced to eat foods that they don’t want to eat, it leads to children seeing the food as an obligation; they don’t eat it because it’s yummy, but because it’s a responsibility. There are ways to help your children to have a good relationship with food and eat a balanced diet naturally. Here are some tips:

Let your children see the vegetables, but don’t force them to eat it. Basically this means you should put the vegetables on their plates and let them choose whether they eat it. Be sure to let them see you eating vegetables as well. They may not eat the vegetables right away, but they will eat them eventually. More importantly, they will never see eating vegetables as a punishment.

Never use food as a reward or punishment. This includes desserts. Many parents use desserts as a reward for eating vegetables, but this can lead to a poor relationship with food where you see food as something you have to eat or something you only get to eat as a reward. Many overindulge on the sweets when they’re older or on special holidays because of this mentality.

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Facts & Stats On What Dads Get For Father’s Day

June 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Sometimes dads have to get creative with asking what they want for Father’s day. Often times they have interests that their kids may not even know about. The infographic below shows some interesting statistics and information regarding Father’s day gifts and shopping each year. You may want to pass this off onto your kids and let them know exactly what kind of dad you are. Let me know what you think.

Filed Under: Family Fun

Kindergarten: Is Your Child Ready?

June 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Just because a child is turning five it does not mean they are necessarily ready to start kindergarten. There are some things you should look for in your child to make sure they are ready to make the transition to kindergarten. There are other options such as another year of preschool or a kindergarten readiness program for those kids who need some extra time.

This is one of the kindergarten rooms on the f...

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If you are trying to decide if your child is ready to make the jump into kindergarten, there are a few things you can look for. First, are they showing an interest in the letters of the alphabet, and are they happy about learning new things? Do they have an interest in books and reading?

Since there is much more to kindergarten than just the academics, it is also important to look for the social signs that your child is ready for kindergarten. If your child is ready they will not have a hard time separating from you or other members of your family. They should also be showing some signs on independence. Even though there is a lot of teacher involvement in kindergarten, it is also one of the first steps in their own independent world. Are they showing the ability to wait their turn and let others have their turn?

You should also look for signs that your child can work on an activity for more than just a few minutes. Can they finish a task that they start even if it takes them more than 10 or 15 minutes?

If your child is showing these abilities then they are more than likely ready to start kindergarten.

 

 

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Birthday Parties: Making the Best of your Child’s Amazing Day

May 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Shrieks and sobs, wails and worry: the afternoon is met with the saddest of parties. A birthday celebration — which was hastily cobbled together, offered no consideration — is a disaster. The guests are listless; the presents don’t please; and your child…is crying, wondering how his special moment shattered so spectacularly.You’re wondering that yourself.

Birthday parties are not simplicities. They can fail easily — and quickly — when improperly planned. It’s imperative therefore to offer strategy to the hours and gain the greatest rewards

birthday cake

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possible:

The Guest List

There is one rule to govern birthday events: they are defined by the ones who enjoy them. Success is earned by the arrival of guests; and these individuals must therefore be chosen carefully. You must be certain to invite your child’s closest friends to the party, shuffling schedules and activities to suit their demands. While this may seem to be too much of an effort, it is instead essential. The day will begin with low expectations if it’s revealed that too few guests can come. Plan carefully and try to compromise your desires for those of others.

Special Themes

Birthday celebrations are not shaped to mere cakes and cookies, the punch bowl splashes. They’re instead complicated affairs, demanding time, effort and consideration. A theme therefore is recommended to narrow the focus of a party and help to provide direction, such as games, decorations, menus, prizes and more. Choose a style that appeals to your child and then drench the day in it. Utilize clever accessories (like a Sesame Street centerpiece) to complete the design. This will spare you from weak activities and discontent among guests.

Professional Entertainment

The hours are soaked in sugar, the burst of calories and ice cream-fueled impulses. Little bodies quickly begin to roam, undone by their own excitement, and this can cause endless worries for an already harried chaperon. It’s vital therefore to provide your child and his guests with the appropriate entertainment — ensuring that all attentions are captured and no problems occur. Choose from magicians, clowns, comedians and more. These individuals will ensure that all youths are enraptured rather than restless (which could cause complaints and ruin the afternoon).

Games and Activities

Birthdays are centered around a singular moment: the opening of the gifts. This is what all children wait for; this is what all anticipation is offered to. There are countless seconds between the arrival of the guests and the reveal of the presents, however, and these must be filled accordingly (if only to ensure a party doesn’t lull). You must have games and activities prepared. Note the theme of an event and create amusements that complement it. You must be certain that all children can participate. Learn of any physical conditions — such as allergies — early to avoid any concerns.These suggestions can offer relief but you must first ask yourself a simple question: are you willing to earn it?

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Preparing Your Child for the Move

May 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Karen Lee dreads moving because her daughter, who is in second grade, reacts very badly to change. How can she tell her they are moving to be closer to Mommy’s new job? Penny stopped speaking for 3 weeks when she got a new babysitter, and actually hid in the coat closet when she had a substitute teacher at school.

Karen is computer savvy. After finding her dream home while browsing Atlanta apartments for rent, she must now find a way to make the transition as easy as possible for Penny and thus turns to the internet for ideas.

She finds that parents can try too hard to put a cheerful face on a move. They forget that it can also be a time of loss for their child – loss of friends, their room, maybe even their town. Parents need to give children time to mourn. Gather telephone numbers, email, and street addresses of friends. Give a farewell party if possible.

Kidstimes.org suggests telling your child about the move as soon as possible. Don’t let them overhear talk of the move and start to speculate. Take your child to the new neighborhood and explore – take photos of playgrounds, new stores, and schools. Let your child help pack his or her room and choose which boxes he or she will unpack first.

Very young children are least affected by a move as long as you remain calm and upbeat. Preschoolers often do not understand that your belongings are going with you, but their friends will not. Check online parenting resources for children’s books about moving, and read them with your child.

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Medical Complications after Childbirth

May 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
"Father gives attention to his newborn da...

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Medical complications after childbirth can have a significant impact on your child’s mental and physical development. In many cases, medical complications are easily treated. In others, though, you might need to make big adjustments in your lifestyle to accommodate the needs of your new child.

Lack of Oxygen or Blood after Childbirth

A lack of oxygen or blood during and after childbirth can lead to a number of neurological problems. For instance, if the umbilical cord gets wrapped around your baby’s neck, he or she can essentially suffocate. The longer that the brain goes without oxygen, the more likely it is that your child will experience developmental problems such as brain damage and cerebral palsy.

Most of the birth injury attorneys California provides can help parents seek compensation from developmental disorders that are the result of medical malpractice. Obviously, this won’t cure your child’s disorder, but it can help pay for treatment and living expenses.

Medical Concerns for Premature Babies

The risk of medical complications that could affect your child’s development increases when the child is born prematurely. In some cases, children are born without fully developed lungs. This can lead to several complications, including respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and rapid, shallow breathing. These issues can stunt growth and development, but there are effective treatments that can help premature babies recover.

Whether your child experiences developmental disorders from an injury inflicted during birth or a congenital issue, you will need to make sure that you find resources that can help your child learn coping skills that will allow him or her to lead a fulfilling life.

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