milestones Archives | Sleeping Should Be Easy

8 Tips for Your Child’s First Haircut at a Salon

Nov 15, 2020

Getting a haircut at a salon can be overwhelming for kids. Learn how to make your child's first haircut at a salon a fun experience. There was no denying it: My son needed a haircut. I'd been saving a ton of money by avoiding the salon, but my home cuts just aren't, well... cutting it anymore. It was time for his first haircut at a salon. I avoided formal haircuts for over two years, thanks to the texture of his wavy hair that hid even the most lopsided, uneven haircuts I gave at home. But when a heat rash showed up on the back of his neck, I knew there was no way I'd be able to snip off … [Read more...]

10 Ways to Encourage Fine Motor Skills for 5 Year Olds

Activities

Oct 20, 2020

Fine motor skills activities for 5-6 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 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 … [Read more...]

What to Do When Your Child Doesn’t Like What Other Kids Typically Do

Development

Sep 22, 2020

It can feel worrisome when you see your child not interested in things other kids seem to love. Here's what to do when your child doesn't like what other kids typically do. 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, he 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 … [Read more...]

7 Easy Ways to Transition to a Sippy Cup

Eating

Jun 25, 2020

Looking for ways to transition from a baby bottle to a sippy 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? I accidentally dropped it 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 … [Read more...]

How to Teach a Child to Dress Themselves

Development

Jan 20, 2020

Want to let the kids dress themselves and also save yourself time? Learn how to teach a child to dress themselves in the mornings with these useful tips. I was late for work, and my son insisted on putting his shoes on. This wouldn't have been a problem... if he actually knew how to put shoes on. You see, all this time, I'd been doing everything for him because it just seemed faster that way. The problem? I figured I'd save more time if he only knew how to get dressed—except that took time I already didn't have. Catch-22, anyone? In my home, my husband usually had morning duty … [Read more...]

Want the Best Transition Sippy Cup? Start with These Options

Eating

May 17, 2018

Want to transition your baby from bottle to sippy cup, or your toddler from sippy to regular cup? Take a look at these options for the best transition sippy cup. From messes to your baby's outright rejection, it's not always easy to transition him into using a sippy cup. Maybe the one you tried keeps spilling, or your baby still prefers his bottle over the cup. Perhaps the one you have makes the liquid come out too fast, or he pushes the spout out of his mouth. It doesn't help when you're so over using bottles (and cleaning the zillion bottle parts). You might even be looking for the … [Read more...]

“At What Age…?” Baby Development Milestones You Don’t Always Hear About

Infant

Jul 10, 2017

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...]

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