Sleeping Should Be Easy

5 Things Resilient Kids Do Differently

Little girl on gymnastics equipment, demonstrating characteristics of a resilient child

Curious to know why some kids persevere while others don't? Discover the 5 characteristics of a resilient child and what gritty kids do differently. My eight-year-old had done a really neat trick with a blob of slime (yes, slime). He had stretched it out to a thin layer, held it in front of his face, then blew on it to make a "bubble." It looked exactly how bubble gum would look when you blow on it. Not surprisingly, one of my five-year-old twins was intrigued. So much so that he decided he wanted to try the trick as well. At that point, I was already cringing inside. In truth, I didn't think he'd be able to get it right, what with being younger and all. And the last thing I wanted was for him to feel disappointed, much less frustrated. His first few tries to blow a … Read More...

5 Ideas to Try When Your Baby Only Takes Catnaps (They Really Work!)

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Frustrated when your catnapping baby takes ridiculously short naps? Take a look at these 5 ideas that can make a huge difference with your baby's naps. Is this normal? I thought. Is this just his temperament? Do babies even grow out of this?! My baby hardly slept during the day—maybe 30 to 45 minutes at a stretch. He was tired and cranky when he wasn't asleep, which only meant he'd take an even longer time to fall asleep at night. One thing was certain: we were both exhausted from these catnaps. Nothing that seemed to work for every other baby was working for mine. He didn't take to the pacifier, finding it more frustrating than soothing. I knew he couldn't be hungry since I had just fed him minutes ago (and he'd fall asleep during nursing, anyway). Even … Read More...

7 Benefits of Reading to Your Child You May Not Know

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You likely heard the importance of reading to your child, but do you know why? Discover 7 benefits of reading to your child, even starting from day one! By: Lane Rebelo Some of my fondest memories of my daughter’s first year are of us bundled in the glider in her room reading stories at bedtime. Back then, she fit in the crook of my elbow so perfectly, both of us reading together as we rocked back-and-forth, baby in one arm and book on the other. Now even at 12-years-old and on the threshold of her teen years, she still wants me to read to her at bedtime each night. I'm savoring every moment while it lasts, cherishing this quiet and peaceful time together at the end of every day. The benefits of reading to your child You’ve probably heard the importance of reading to your … Read More...

12 Ways You’re Already Practicing Montessori Parenting Without Even Realizing It

learn and discover

A little girl brushing her own teeth, following Montessori parenting

Did you know you're likely practicing Montessori parenting without realizing it? Discover these 12 ways you're applying the Montessori philosophy at home. Confession time: I still brush my five-year-old twins' teeth. Whenever I can help it, I go straight to brushing their teeth, assuming of course that I can do a better job of preventing cavities. Not to mention it's 10 times faster for me to squeeze the toothpaste, fill their cups, and actually brush their teeth than if I left the job to them. My husband, though, has no time for that. Whenever it's his turn to bathe the kids, he simply tells them, "Okay, brush your teeth." In fact, had it not been for him, my kids would probably still need me to tie their shoes and dress themselves. In his quest to get our kids to … Read More...

What to Do When Your Toddler Suddenly Won’t Sleep

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Frustrated because your toddler suddenly won't sleep, even when she had once been a great sleeper? Learn how to respond when your child is crying at bedtime! Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase. My toddler had always been a pretty good sleeper and, like his brothers, would fall asleep within minutes of tucking him in. He rarely woke up in the middle of the night, and if he did, calming him down and putting him back to sleep was easy. Except there was a stage when, for several weeks, bedtime was dreadful. He'd resist going to sleep, screaming forever before finally collapsing in exhaustion. This is my good sleeper? I thought. Nothing changed in our routine or lifestyle—no … Read More...

The Ultimate List of Pumpkin Books for Preschoolers

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Check out the ultimate list of pumpkin books for preschoolers to welcome the fall season, learn about the growth cycle, and celebrate the holidays! Hands down, fall is my favorite season. I may not be able to see as many trees changing colors, living in Los Angeles and everything, but fall marks a new energy that seems to lift my spirits. And one of my favorite fall traditions is picking out pumpkins with my kids. This is especially fun during the preschool stage. Kids start to understand traditions, the changes of the season, and of course Halloween. And it's often the first time kids can participate, from picking and decorating pumpkins to scooping and washing the seeds. They can enjoy the festivities at a pumpkin patch, and even help bake (and eat!) the pumpkin … Read More...

10 Ways to Encourage Fine Motor Skills for 5 Year Olds

development

Little girl playing with play dough to develop fine motor skills for 5 year olds

Fine motor skills for 5 year olds are important as kids enter kindergarten. Encourage hand dexterity—even with an active child—with these fun activities! If you're like most parents, how your child holds a pencil may not be top of mind. But once she enters kindergarten, you suddenly notice how well the other kids hold theirs in comparison. You also realize that she can't really write her name well, much less cut with scissors (and forget about pulling a zipper). Come to think of it, you don't even know what her dominant hand is yet. Or perhaps it's the opposite: you're well aware of how important fine motor skills for 5 year olds are, but find it impossible to get your active child to even sit down. You may have even tried a few activities in the past, but the difficulty … Read More...

How to Respond to Your Toddler’s Poop Anxiety

family life

Boy sitting on a potty with his arm raised

Is your toddler afraid to poop in the potty? Discover how to get your child to poop in the potty, stop holding it in, and ease his potty training poop anxiety. The clenched butt, the closed legs, the funny poses your toddler does... all of it would be a lot cuter if you knew he wasn't doing it because he was trying not to poop. Because for the last several days (days!) he won't poop at all, whether in a potty or even in diapers. It started when he was constipated, and passing stool became painful. The problem is, he has now burned this memory in his mind, so much so that he thinks any future poops will feel just as bad. And of course, the longer he holds the poop, the more constipated he does get... and the cycle continues. Now, any time he feels the need to poop, he … Read More...

Sleeping Should Be Easy

5 Things Resilient Kids Do Differently

5 Ideas to Try When Your Baby Only Takes Catnaps (They Really Work!)

7 Benefits of Reading to Your Child You May Not Know

12 Ways You’re Already Practicing Montessori Parenting Without Even Realizing It

What to Do When Your Toddler Suddenly Won’t Sleep

The Ultimate List of Pumpkin Books for Preschoolers

10 Ways to Encourage Fine Motor Skills for 5 Year Olds

How to Respond to Your Toddler’s Poop Anxiety

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