Parenthood

Bringing your baby home can be one of the most exciting days of your life. Getting your baby to sleep will be another. It seems like your baby does not want to sleep or sleep very long at first. There could be many things disturbing your baby while they are trying to sleep that you may not even realize.

The noise of the refrigerator running, the hum of the air conditioner, the ticking of the clock, all these little noises can suddenly wake a baby from a sound sleep and then it will take forever to get them back to sleep.

To help your baby sleep better, you should get a sound machine or sleep machine. They come in a variety of different names such as sound conditioners, white noise machines, sound machines, and sleep machines to name a few. They have ones that have a heartbeat to make it sound like your baby is still in the womb. There are also ones available with natural sounds that resemble rain, waterfalls, a spring night, and many more. It has been noted that have many people use the white noise machine to drown out all sound and their babies sleep so much better. They do not wake up at night as much either. Many parents have given testimonies that their colicky babies rest much easier after they begin using a sound conditioner.

You can buy the table models that work very well in soothing your little one right of to slumberland. These white noise machines are so soothing for your baby; soon they will not be able to sleep without one. The idea is to stop all the sounds around your baby except for the one coming from the machine and it works so well your baby will be sleeping through the night in no time.

The sound machines today have different levels that grow with your baby. Start them out with the sounds of the womb and as they get older, you can pop in the CD of rainfall or a brook. These sounds grow with your child to help their sleeping patterns stay the same through out their small lives. They are so small and portable you can just tuck it into your diaper bag and take it wherever your baby goes so you will know they will have a great nap or sleepover at the grandparent's home. Many run on batteries so it is recommended to purchase rechargeable batteries and a charger. They have timers on them to so they will shut off automatically. This will save on your batteries as well. You never have to worry about going into your child's room and shutting it off which could possibly wake them.

Do you think your baby will outgrow the sound machine? No way…just, get different CD's, as they get older, they can enjoy the sounds of a waterfall or the beach. The CD's are great for not only infants but adults as well. You will feel so relaxed when you listen to these, you will wonder how you slept at all before. Living a stress free life will make you the happiest person around.

Preschoolers are full of energy and curiosity and have a natural eagerness to learn. They have mastered many gross motor skills and are extremely active. By preschool age, most children have also acquired a strong grasp of language skills and place a great value on friendships. Because of their strong imaginations and wide range of interests, preschoolers usually most enjoy dramatic and creative play, as well as physical activities.

The best toys for preschoolers are sturdy and durable, and not likely to result in jagged or sharp edges if broken. Look for toys that are made of quality, nontoxic materials and are appropriate for your preschooler's age and skill level. Wooden toys are extremely durable, safe, and offer hours of educational, fun play time.

Toys that encourage physical play are great for preschoolers. The outdoors offer children a number of sensory learning opportunities so it is important to provide your preschooler with a selection of toys designed for outdoor use. Wooden toys like tricycles, wagons, and scooters are ideal for preschoolers' outdoor play. Miniature replicas of adult outdoor tools, like wheelbarrows and lawnmowers, are also a lot of fun at this age.

Most preschoolers have a lot of interest in constructive play, especially building projects with a finished product or specific goal. Wooden toys like blocks and jigsaw puzzles are perfect for preschoolers. Simple models and snap-together toys also provide preschoolers with hours of enjoyable play.

Preschoolers also need a good selection of toys that encourage dramatic play, or imaginative play. Miniature appliances, like wooden stoves and refrigerators, wooden doll accessories, like cradles and highchairs, and wooden play sets, like car garages and fire stations, are all quality toys for pretend play. Props to enhance play settings are also important. Play food, dress up clothes, and baby items like blankets and bottles can help your preschooler expand her imaginative play time.

Puppets offer all types of play benefits to preschoolers. Your child can address frightening situations through puppets or can use them as a healthy way to express her anger or frustration over a recent event. Puppet play also helps preschoolers to expand their vocabularies and develop social and emotional skills. Wooden puppet stages are available in several styles and sizes. Together with a variety of puppets, a puppet stage can provide hours of creative fun.

During the preschool years, most children begin to enjoy simple board and card games as well. Matching games and games with simple objectives like color recognition or counting are typically the most enjoyable games for preschoolers. Wooden toys and games with simple scoring and only basic rules are great for teaching preschoolers to share and take turns, as well as develop fine motor skills and school readiness skills.

Scientific toys and working tools are also good choices for older preschoolers. Small hammers and screwdrivers allow children to practice building skills and develop more precise hand and eye coordination. Toy microscopes and telescopes invite young children to learn by exploring the world around them. Ring toss games and wooden toys for beanbag tossing are also fun games that help preschoolers develop hand and eye coordination, as well as fine and gross motor skills.

If you an expecting or a new mom, chances are that, you want a perfect crib for your baby's nursery. You might be unsure of buying a new crib or accepting the offers of friends and family members who might have a nice but used piece at home. Making the decision can be daunting at first, especially when you are either flush with hormones because of the pregnancy or extremely tired after the task of bringing your little one into the world. The list of baby items, which is needed to be bought, just seems endless!

But, there is nothing to be disheartened about. The bottom line is that- the choice between a new or used crib will not affect the baby's love for you. As long as you are giving all to their care; as long as they feel loved and nurtured, they won't be at the least bothered by your choice. Basically, whatever crib you use-a new or an old one- it should be safe to use for your precious bundle of joy.

If you buy a new crib (which is advised by most organizations linked with baby furniture safety) - it is sure to meet the minimum government safety requirements. Look out for products which either display JPMA seal of approval or the BS 'Kite' mark, as they have been tested painstakingly to meet all the safety requisites. A safe crib must have a firm, well-fitting mattress and no misplaced or cracked planks/slats. Also, the head or foot slat should have no cutouts. These checks can also be made for 'handed-down' cribs, besides other tests, which make sure that the crib and bedding are safe for your baby:-

• The bars should be spaced out at a width of not more than 2 3/8" (breadth of a soda can). This prevents the baby's head from getting stuck between them.


• The crib should have no flaky or loose paint.


• Any high posts that the baby may catch its clothes on must be changed.


• Any wobbling should be eliminated by making sure that all joints are unyielding.


• The lowering and raising of the drop sides should preferably be controlled by one hand. The sides should totally lock when raised.


• The top of the side bar should be 22" over the mattress.


• It would be best to replace the mattress in an old crib with one which is firm, clean and fits snugly.


• Bedding must confirm to fire safety rulings. Using sheets and blankets in bedding is best for babies under 12 months as quilts, duvets, cushions etc., put the baby under the danger of overheating. To guarantee the right temperature, a room thermometer can be kept.


• Do not position the crib close to lamps, curtains, or any furniture that encourage climbing.


• If fitting bumpers ensure that the strings are concealed and secure.


• Do not buy used cribs from stores where you cannot verify its manufacturer or user history.


Choosing the right crib ensures not only safety for the baby but also peace of mind for the parents. After the choice of the right crib, it is time to find the exceptional baby bedding set to go with it.

Parents always think that if something is going wrong in their children's lives, their kids will come straight to Mom and Dad and pour their little hearts out.

But sometimes that isn't always the case. Especially if the child is ashamed or afraid.

What could cause a child to be ashamed or afraid? Cyber-bullying!

Of course, if your child was being bullied in the real world, you'd see the physical signs of distress.

But if your child is being bullied in cyberspace, you may never find out until it's too late.

Case in point:

On October 7th, 2003, 13 year old Ryan Hannigan took his own life.

His parents knew he was having a few bullying problems at school but they had no idea how severe the problem really was. Later, Ryan's father logged on the computer and discovered that Ryan's classmates had been bullying him for months.

This was not an isolated incident. David Knight, a Canadian teenage, suddenly found himself at the center of a cyber-bullying conspiracy.

It appears that a gang of kids at his school set up a website devoted to destroying David's reputation.

Because of certain laws and legal restrictions, it took 6 months to get the website pulled down even after the police were involved.

Recently, a survey of over 1500 students in grades 4-8 showed that over 42% had been bullied online and 53% admitted that they had typed mean or hateful things about classmates.

Do the math: There could possibly be a 95% chance that your child has been involved in cyber bullying… either as the victim or the aggressor.

Here's The One Lesson You Must Take Away

The internet is not always a safe place for kids. But almost every problem can be avoided if you are aware of what you child is doing online.

Always be 100% aware of what your child is doing online because the alternative is unthinkable.

There are nanny agencies that serve as centers for supplying nannies or babysitters for the children of working parents. They have a commendable resource of full time, part time and in-house placements for nannies and these agencies safeguard the interests of the nanny as well as those of the family and help them operate very congenially.

In order to ensure a superior quality of service to the customers and to stay in the highly competitive market the agencies first select aspiring nannies through an interview. The prospective candidates then have to pass through a rigorous check of their background as well as potential for proper childcare. They have to fulfill all the prerequisites for baby-sitting and also have to undergo some physical tests. After this selection process these agencies draw a very exhaustive database of the nannies and supply candidates to families who contact them for professional caregivers. These agencies also have "Terms of Employment" that are abided by the nannies as well as the employing family and in this way they ensure a good understanding between the functioning nanny and the kids' families.

The agencies can provide the suitable nanny to any family keeping in mind their requisites such as the age, education, culture or talents of the prospective caregiver. They also provide the families with all the credentials testifying the nanny's potential and other backgrounds. On the other hand nannies also have the chance to get placed in a family that suits them the most. The expertise of these agencies lies in their ability to identify the requirements of the families and supply the most suitable nanny for their kids.

By virtue of an agency the nanny's interests are also preserved. A nanny is assured of a good home to work in, along with a standard and regular remuneration. The mutual agreements being drawn by legal aid nannies find it always safe to be placed through an agency than by the help of any personal initiative that can lead to many future disputes. Some agencies also help the nannies with services from personal career counselors and placement specialists.

Many of these services come free for the nannies. Nannies are classified according to their age, experience and training in diverse caring activities. Different agencies have varied criteria for this compartmentalization, yet there are some common categories, namely, "Nannies Plus" in which the nannies are paid between $300 and $700 a week; "Nannies Elite" in which the nannies receive a remuneration ranging from $450 to $800 or more each week; and "Nannies Platinum" that sees the nannies getting $600 to $1000 per week as salaries.

How do you feel when your boss lectures you about something that you did or suggested and ends his talk with, "I own this company, I've been in this business longer than you, and I sign your paycheck. I don't care how good of an idea you think you have just do what I say and keep your ideas to yourself!"? I'm sure you don't feel too good, you are not motivated from such talk and it doesn't build in you a sense of loyalty to the company.

If this is true for you, an adult who is supposed to have some control over your emotions, just imagine how ineffective such lectures are to transmit your values and to convince children of your views.

How then, you might ask, can you fulfill your parental obligation to pass on your values, life's lessons that you learnt the hard way, and prepare them for life without lecturing them? The answer is to tell stories and personal anecdotes that show the values that you feel are important for your children to learn. Story telling is the most pleasant, gentle, and effective way to get your message across.

Here a few tips on how I do this with my children:

*I wait for a time when a few of the older children are just sitting around listening to music,doing homework, or noshing (especially chocolate).

*I lean on a wall in the living room (to be as informal as possible) and say, "Do you want to hear what happened to me today?" (I don't wait for an answer) or "I heard the most unbelievable story today..."

* I never start by saying, "I heard this story about honesty today." I'm afraid if I would start like that they would shut off their ears thinking, "Oh no. Here comes another "goodie-goodie" lecture." I just give a general introduction and jump right into the story.

* Obviously, I also don't end off with a statement like, "and therefore I expect you ....". I just say, "I was so impressed with his courage or his honesty. I don't know how he did it but I wish I would be so strong"

Try it and you'll know that you are successful when, at a later time (sometimes even years later), your children live with those values and even quote you the stories that you told them.

Although the role of mothers has changed little over the years, the role of fathers has changed considerably, particularly over the past 150 years.

During the second half of the nineteenth century, often referred to as the Victorian Era, the father was a very distant and rarely seen figure as far as children were concerned and his responsibility was largely confined to being the family's 'law giver'. This changed during the early part of the twentieth century, due in no small part to the influence of Freud, and by the middle of the century fathers were seen much more as being the family's 'wise breadwinner'.

As we moved into the 1960s and 1970s however fathers were once more given a back seat role and many people viewed them as nothing more than 'sperm donors'. Today, it's difficult to define the role of fathers and it's very much a case of 'ask ten people and you'll get eleven opinions'.

So where do we start in trying to define a father's role? Well, the answer is that we have to return to basics and ask a few fundamental questions such as "what effect does their presence (or absence) have on the family?"and "why do children need a father?"

In trying to answer these and other similar questions the first difficulty that you encounter is that there is a wide variety of opinions. However, one thing that most studies agree upon is that children do not normally fair as well in the absence of a father and poor performance at schools, drug use, violent behavior and criminal activity are more frequently seen in children who are raised without a father. But trying to determine just why this should be the case is not easy.

It seems likely that there is no single cause and that a combination of financial, psychological and other factors are involved. Whatever the cause, it would nonetheless seem that children need a father if they are to get the best start in life.

Apart from the traditional role of being the breadwinner and providing the basic necessities of food and shelter, fathers are also undoubtedly seen as providing such things as protection for their daughters and a role model for their sons. However, many suggest that it is the role the father plays as one half of the parental partnership that is perhaps the most important.

Children are strongly influenced by everything that they see and hear and they see and hear a great deal more than we often realize. Observing the roles of mom and dad working together, children learn a great deal from the way in which matters are discussed and decisions made. The manner in which responsibilities are divided between the parents with mom taking care of such things as bedtime routines, diet and household chores and dad being the guardian of such things as the front door (granting permission for the children to spend time with friends or go the mall) and taking care of the issue of pocket money, provides children with a model of parenting and teaches them a variety of skills.

This, combined with a host of other experiences common in a two parent household, helps to shape a child's view of the adult world and of the interaction between the sexes.

We could of course continue to develop this further and look in more detail at just how the interaction of two parents influences the children, but things begin to get a little bit complicated when we start to consider such things as the personalities of the two parents and the strength or otherwise of their own relationship. Looking at the possibilities here would means looking at literally hundreds of different scenarios.

Perhaps the simplest answer to our original question of what a father's role is would be to say that it is many different things to different people and, while we could try to define it, perhaps it's simply enough to say that the presence of a father in a child's life is important and that, in general, children are better off with a father than without one.

Sexuality and how it is developed is a very touchy subject.

People like me who work with children, adults, who have been sexually abused at home, can clearly see a link between the bedroom and the abuse.
We try to advice parents, society on how to prevent this from happening.
We also tend confuse the issues of the people we work with for an issue that impacts everyone.

Advice on keeping children separated, giving them their own bedrooms, is one way of putting restrictions before teaching.
We as parents have a role to teach our children what is appropriate and what not.
Sexuality is part of that, whether we like it, feel comfortable about it, or not.

A lot of professionals are as comfortable, or uncomfortable, as you and I to deal with the sexual development of children. Their advise may come from their point of view.
This view maybe fear and control based.
"This is bad stuff and we need to prevent it for anyone at any cost."
Or it may be opportunity and freedom based
"Kids need to explore without fear and we don't need to tell them this bad stuff"
or something in between.

I personally, and I have worked with a lot of sexually abused people, don't think it is an issue we can solve with one answer for all.
Parents need to know their kids and teach them skills that help them develop abilites to deal with challenges well.
These are communication, conflict resolution skills, self esteem and the ability to say "no".
And they need to talk about sex, kid's bodies and how they are going to develop, what happens and what feelings, desires, confusion may come up.

To do that, parents need to face their own sexuality, their own skills at all of this.
So they can teach and prepare their kids.
And yes, be open and honest with yourself. If you have issues with telling them what you see as right or wrong, you need to work on that. It doesn't mean we have to split up the kids, because we don't know what to say, how to listen for the signals we need to pick up.

Millions, many millions of kids all over the world share rooms, young and old.
Do they have to deal with issues?
Of course they do!
Sharing a room is and opportunity to learn to communicate, solve problems, deal with the presence of others when you don't like it and much more. Including as you grow, have hormones flying through you.
Do some of them come out with problems, sometimes of a sexual nature. Yes, they do.
But the fast majority don't and love their brothers and sisters, even with all the family dynamics we know.
And they have learned from those fights and of the physical contact that living in close quarters brings.
Without any sexual hang ups.

If you see, hear a signal that your kids are not getting along, or doing something that may worry you, step up to your parenting plate and deal with it.
Sometimes splitting them up is absolutely the answer.
Most of the time, it is not.
You as a parent can deal with most of it simply, by listening, taking your kids seriously and making your own common sense decisions, having them solve it, maybe with you.
Do I advocate for kids sharing rooms, like boys of fourteen with girls of eight to twelve, sixteen?
Of course not.
But being a parent is looking at more than one answer.

A blank statement about sharing rooms being right or wrong is, in my opinion, an easy way out of being a responsible parent.
You and your kids are the special mix you are and you will need your own answers.
Many are blended families, many are not.
And the more you prepare your kids to have open strong relationships, sharing what they think and feel, solving issues along the way, the more you prepare them for a great life, including a great sex life.

And walls between people have never taught them how to communicate.
Privacy, respect for boundaries are teachable concepts.
Let's teach our kids to deal with those well.
That is our job, after all.

One of the best ways to evaluate a daycare facility is to schedule an impromptu visit. Remember, most childcare providers will be well prepared for schedule visits. However, if you really want to see the way the child care provider operates, you need to drop in. Even if they will not allow you to tour the facility at that time, you can schedule your visit then and get a feel for the facility on a normal day.

There are some things you should check for when evaluating childcare facilities. First, make sure that they require identification for those picking up children. In a smaller center the teachers do get to know the parents, so a photo ID is not required for pick up. But when someone other than Mom or Dad is going to pick up the child, they should have an identification checking policy in place.

When you tour the facility, look around carefully. Make sure that there are no problems that you can see in child proofing. You need to find a childcare center that carefully child proofs everything. Also, the center should be clean. There will be toys out that the children are playing with, but obvious dirt and stains can be a sign that the teachers and staff are not attentive to cleaning spills quickly, which could expose your child to germs and other problems.

If you are seeking childcare for a child who is potty training, check into the potty schedule. Make sure there are set times every day that the children are taken to the restroom. Find out what the policy is about changing children who have accidents. Also, make sure the children have continuous access to the bathroom. Your child will be extremely embarrassed if they should have an accident in the childcare facility during their playtime.

Accountability is another thing to look for in a childcare facility. If your childcare facility is located at your work, look for places where you can sneak a peek at your child. Many centers are now offering internet-based video monitoring systems so you can see your child's classroom whenever you are at your computer. This not only ensures your child is safe, but it also gives you piece of mind about leaving your child at the daycare center.

Talk to the teacher of the childcare center you are considering. You should feel comfortable with the personality and temperament of this teacher. If not, then choose a different daycare center.

Finally, check to see that the childcare center has educational programs built into their routine. While small children need plenty of time for free play and social interaction, their minds need structured learning times as well. See if you can look at sample papers or worksheets that the children do, so that you can get an idea of the things your children will be learning. If there is a curriculum, check it out! Even if you are not educationally trained, you should know if the curriculum is quality or not.

With these tips, you can find an excellent child care facility for your children. You will feel confident that they are in a safe, structured environment while you are at work. When you pick them up, they will be having fun and learning in their childcare facility.

Life as a grandparent is going great when your daughter and her husband drop the bombshell. Your son-in-law has just landed a job-of-a-lifetime, but it is in a community that is a two day's drive away. Your heart sinks as you realize that the grandchild that you've been seeing every weekend will be out of sight most of the year.

What can you do when your grandchildren move away? How can you keep in touch as you miss most of their growing years? Consider the following ideas, written especially for situations that involve grandchildren under 10. You can easily adapt some of these ideas to older grandchildren.

(1) Plan some special times together before they move.

Hopefully your children have been able to give you at least several weeks notice of the move. These last two or three weekends should be spent doing some special activities, ones that you know your grandchild enjoys. Perhaps they have a special place they like to visit, like a children's museum, or a special eatery. Make sure you capture the events with your camera and/or camcorder.

(2) Make a special photo album

All grandparents have photos of their grandchildren, especially ones that capture special times. Photos of trips you have taken together, of pets you've played with, of parties you've been at, of friends and family you've spent time with. Gather a group of these photos together, especially ones that show you and the grandchildren together, and make a special album. This becomes a little going away gift. Don't forget to include photos from the final weekends.

(3) Give them contact info

If you are a modern grandparent, you will have a phone number, a postal address, and an e-mail address. Maybe you even have Personal Cards with this information. (personal cards are a business card designed specifically for handing out to new friends and such - one inexpensive way to get these is at Vista Print) Depending on their ages, make sure your grandchildren know how to contact you via all three options. One way of ensuring that you receive hand written (or printed) material is to supply them with some pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelopes. That way, they just have to fill the envelope with some personal notes or new drawings and then pop it into a mail box. You, of course, can also write, phone, and e-mail them.

(4) Home Made Videos

A truly modern grandparent can also send out not only new photos, but even a home-made DVD. Just use your camcorder to record special events that your grandchildren cannot be at, and mail them a DVD version. Some newer camcorders take DVDs as their standard way of recording. Others will require you to transfer them via a computer. Just visit your local computer store for the additional hardware and software required. Some beginner style ones are very economical.

There, now you have four ideas of things to do when your grandchildren move away. These ones will help you think of others. Now all you have to do is start planning your first trip to your grandchildren's new home.

With divorce rates now at record high levels the number of children living in single parent homes is higher than ever and whether you're a mom or a dad single parenting presents you with some unique challenges.

The first set of problems that a single parent faces are practical and, as most single parents these days have to work, these involve such things as finding suitable day-care, making arrangements when having to work late or at weekends and fitting in everyday activities such as shopping.

How you cope with these practical difficulties will depend very much on your personal circumstances and financial position, but many single parents are often able to rely on older children to care for younger ones and on help from family and friends. In most cases these problems are not too difficult to overcome and a reasonable solution can usually be found.

It is often issues beyond the purely practical that present single parents with the greatest challenge and the loss of a partner to discuss problems with, to use as a sounding board and to bounce ideas off can be difficult.

Some parents also find it difficult to deal with children of the opposite sex and, in particular, miss the input from the same sex parent who is able to draw on his or her own experience of childhood.

In many cases these problems can also be overcome by turning to other family members or friends for advice, but this is not always quite so easy or practical.

On the other side of the coin many of the problems posed by single parenting are balanced by what many see as often considerable advantages. The loss of a partner also frequently brings with it the loss of disagreements, arguments and tension in the household and can make it much easier to establish guidelines and rules for the children without having to debate them with a partner.

Many single parents both consciously or sub-consciously make a greater effort to spend time with their children and also find themselves talking far more to their children. The result is that single parents often grow much closer to their children and a much stronger bond develops between parent an children, to the benefit of both.

It is often the case that children in single parent households also mature at a younger age and develop a greater sense of responsibility. Studies also show that children of single parents suffer no detrimental effects in terms of both their personal and educational development.

While on the one hand it may seem that the loss of a partner to share in the care of the children would be detrimental, single parenting provides a unique opportunity for you to influence the development of your children without the hindrance that having a partner can often bring. Additionally, as long as you don't allow yourself to become bogged down with the practicalities of raising your children alone, the benefits can often far outweigh the disadvantages.

Colic a term given to a baby who cries for more than three hours in a given day. Colic in babies is normal in newborns, which may begin from 3 weeks until four months of age.

There are many reasons why babies cry. Main reason is it is hungry or also sometimes just cranky.
But when it cries a little longer than before, then this means that the infant is colic.

Here are some of the ways you can make the colic go away.

1. Feeding the baby.

Baby could be hungry. So feeding them may end the colic.

2. Going outside.

Going outside may help to end colic. Taking the newborn on the carriage ride will be helpful.

3. Warm bath.

Warm bath will relax the baby and so end the colic. Also, make sure the water is not too hot for the child.

4. Music.

Music will help the baby to sleep without disrupted by noises.

5. Proper Diet for baby's mother.

If the mother eats food that produce gas, this may make the baby discomfort. Consult your doctor for the proper diet. Simethicone drops also will be helpful.

5. Changing Position

Changing position you hold the infant may be helpful. For example, If the newborn is in the crib, then getting it out and holding or rocking it in one's arms can be helpful. Sometimes singing a song is effective, as the baby will once again fall asleep.

There is nothing to worry about colic. This is part of the growing phase of the baby. Colic is not a disease or disorder and nothing to worry about.