Sleeping Should Be Easy

11 Multicultural Children’s Books to Read with Your Child

A collection of multicultural children's picture books

Teach your child about diversity and inclusion with these multicultural children's picture books, perfect for toddlers, preschool, and elementary students! I'm fortunate my kids attend a school that prides itself on its diversity and celebrates the different cultures that make up its population. Our city demographic is just as diverse, from the people you see in the neighborhood and even to the delicious smell of their home-cooked food. You see, I didn't start out exposed to the different cultures of the world. I grew up in the Philippines with only one predominant ethnicity. Even after moving to the US, most of my elementary and high school years didn't really have a whole lot of diversity—one or two races made up most of the student body. Thankfully my kids are … Read More...

9 Coping Skills for Kids to Help Manage Big Emotions

development

Mom teaching her daughter coping skills for kids

Does your child struggle with handling difficult emotions? Learn how to teach coping skills for kids to help them manage big feelings on their own. By Amy Wruble My 7-year-old came home from summer camp the other day in a horrible mood. She called me names, kicked her little sister for no reason, and stomped around yelling for a solid 20 minutes. Since she doesn’t normally act this way, I figured something must have happened to upset her, but it took a while to unravel the details. It turned out she’d taken a scary tumble, got hurt, and felt embarrassed. The physical plus emotional pain was enough to shake up her whole system for a while. After lots of talking, hugs, and calming down, she was full of apologies and back to her old self. Sometimes I think my number one … Read More...

Burping a Newborn After Breastfeeding: Necessary or Not?

newborn

Is burping a newborn after breastfeeding necessary or not? Discover whether you still need to burp your breastfed baby—the answer might surprise you. I actually think my mom's favorite thing to do with babies is to burp them. Fussy baby? "Oh, he must need to burp," she'll decide. Spit up coming out of his mouth? "Let me burp him for you." She even coos at them, saying "burp, burp, burp!" in a sing-song voice as she pats their backs. I even think she would've loved to keep burping them all through toddlerhood if given the chance. Kidding aside, burping my babies definitely became a habit, right from the start. But early on, I started to wonder whether burping a breastfed baby at night was necessary. Do I keep patting and burping, or do I let him fall back asleep? Is it … Read More...

5 Tips to Help Your Overtired Toddler Finally Go to Sleep

sleeping

Does your overtired toddler continue to fight naps and bedtime? Learn how to get your child back to a normal schedule and sleeping through the night. A few years ago, my extended family hosted a reunion over a three-day weekend. Friday night meant my kids stayed with a babysitter so my husband and I could grab drinks with cousins. The following day was the main event outdoors at the park, while Sunday found us spending the entire day at the beach. With no naps on either Saturday or Sunday, on top of all the stimulation and "newness" of the weekend, my kids were just about fried once all was said and done. Molars, transitioning to fewer naps, and yes, hectic family festivities... no matter the reason, one thing's for sure: every parent dreads dealing with an overtired … Read More...

What Every Mom Needs to Know About Her Second Pregnancy

pregnancy

Curious how your second time pregnancy differs from the first? Learn what to expect and how this pregnancy can be different the second time around. Second-time moms tend to be a bit more... relaxed, don't you think? We've already gone through one pregnancy and aren't as paranoid about all the things that could go wrong. We know that many of the fears and worries we had the first time around ("Oh, no—I ate a slice of ham that wasn't microwaved!") turned out to be nothing at all. And besides, with an older child in tow, we simply don't have the time to fuss. Yes, I was cautious during both pregnancies, but something about having already gone through it once put me at ease. That said, a second time pregnancy can still catch many moms off-guard, no matter how prepared we … Read More...

What to Do When Your Child Refuses to Eat

family life

Frustrated when your child refuses to eat what you made for dinner? Learn what to do (and not do!) to avoid power struggles and get kids to finally eat. I had cooked orzo pasta for dinner—usually a family favorite—except this particular meal happened to have artichokes. My five-year-old crinkled his nose. "I don't want to eat it," he said, without so much as taking a single bite. "Aren't you hungry?" I asked, hoping his hunger would drive him to at least try one spoonful. "I am," he responded, "but I want something else to eat." And when I told him there was nothing else to eat but that, he proceeded to whine and collapse in his dining room chair. It's the dilemma every parent faces at one point or another: What do you do when your child refuses to … Read More...

5 Ways to Stop Toddler Power Struggles Many Parents Don’t Think to Do

behavior

Little girl crying in the middle of a toddler power struggle

The toddler power struggle: it's enough to make any mom feel exhausted and lose her patience. Perhaps your stubborn, spirited child fights you on just about everything, throwing anything within arm's reach when she's upset. Getting ready for school or bed have now become a long, frustrating ordeal. You're sick of the tantrums every time you tell her "no," and it feels like she runs the house. And forget about getting her to listen. Nowadays, any time she doesn't get what she wants, an argument almost always ensues. With each toddler power struggle, you realize you need new ideas on how to encourage good behavior—or at least make it through your daily routines without a fight. Time outs don't work, and you refuse to spank, but you have no idea how to rein in your … Read More...