Flip through any baby book, and you'll likely find infant development milestones down to the month or even week. We parents like to know whether our babies are on track, or if we should worry about potential delays. And sometimes we just need guidance on what to encourage our kids to do next. Except not all milestones make the cut, particularly practical, everyday ones we should also be on the look out for. These are the sorts of questions that pop up when you see another baby the same age doing something yours can't yet. They're the milestones you ask your mom friends about. You want to … [Read more...]
Is Your Baby Starting to Be Mobile? How to Baby Proof Your Home
Is your baby now mobile? Practice safety tips and learn how to baby proof your home. These five items will keep your children safe in your house as they explore their surroundings. This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Regalo International. All opinions are 100% mine. It's the stage we all come across. The baby who once could only flail her arms and legs is now using them to crawl. Bath times are getting more boisterous (not to mention slippery!). And one minute she's laying on the blanket, the next she's across the room. I had been looking forward to the mobile stage, even … [Read more...]
7 Easy Ways to Transition to a Sippy Cup
Looking for ways to transition from bottle to cup? Learn easy ways to transition to a sippy cup and the best time to start. I was introducing my then-infant son to a sippy cup and bought what I thought was the fanciest cup ever. It came insulated, had handles (with an option to remove them!) and was covered with a metal casing. Well... that cup with the heavy metal casing? Came crashing right on my big toe, sending me yelping and hopping through the kitchen. And that was me. I imagined how terrible it would've been if that heavy cup had slipped out of my little guy's hands. That it … [Read more...]
9 Simple Tips to Teach Your Child to Get Dressed
Want to let the kids dress themselves and also save yourself time? Read these 9 tips to teach your child to get dressed in the mornings. I'm late for work, and my son insists on putting his shoes on. This wouldn't be a problem... if he actually knew how to put shoes on. All this time, I'd been doing everything for him because it just seems faster that way. Problem is, I know I'd save more time if he only knew how to get dressed. Except that takes time I already don't have. Catch-22 anyone? In my home, my husband usually has morning duty during school days. He has to shuttle … [Read more...]
4 Things You Shouldn’t Say about Other People’s Children
Some comments can drive parents crazy. See if you're guilty of saying these 4 things you shouldn't say about other people's children. As parents, we get a ton of comments from others, whether loved ones or strangers, about our kids. Some of these we can laugh it off, such as when we can't help but agree. Others though need to be addressed, perhaps in defense of our kids or for thoughtlessness. The rest just drive us crazy. (Read more about being carefree in parenthood.) 4 things you shouldn't say about other people's children In most cases, people don't say these comments with … [Read more...]
Don’t Stress (Too Much) about Your Child’s Developmental Milestones
Every child grows differently, and it's so easy to worry about their growth. Here's why you shouldn't stress about your child's developmental milestones. The news of our three-year-old's weight gain had already sent me worrying like crazy. Now his pediatrician also sent us a questionnaire about his development. "Does she give this to all her patients, or was there a reason she feels we need to complete this?" I asked my husband, who was the one who had taken our son to his appointment. The 'X' dilemma "He couldn't draw an 'X' when she asked him to. So now she wants us to fill out this … [Read more...]
Help! My Son Won’t Stop Picking His Nose
My son, D Man, is a rhinotillexomaniac. For those not down with the lingo, that's fancy-schmancy medical speak for a chronic nose picker. What's worse than him having a barely pronounceable condition, though, is the fact that my otherwise charming two-and-a-bit year old insists on the Pick and Lick. My son won't stop picking his nose and it's driving me to despair. If I tell him it's yucky, he laughs at me and jams his chubby little finger straight back in there. If I ignore the behaviour, it simply goes on approximately three times a minute. On a good day. It would appear that … [Read more...]
What to Do When Your Child Doesn’t Like What Other Kids Typically Do
You worry when all kids seem to love activities that yours doesn't. Here's what to do when your child doesn't like what other kids like. My family got together at my mom's house for a little swim party. "Perfect!" I thought. "This will be a great opportunity for the kiddo to splash around in the pool." With his swim shorts and sunscreen packed and ready, we headed to my mom's. Except when we arrived, my toddler took one look at the pool and belted, "No—don't want to swim!" I wasn't too surprised. He had been fighting a few of his baths, crying if even a few drops of water entered his … [Read more...]