All national parks are free this Saturday
In case you needed an excuse to go out and enjoy your local š³šāļø https://www.kqed.org/news/XXX-XXXX6/all-national-parks-are-free-this-saturday
Swim floaties for toddler less than 30 lbs
Iāve been researching and canāt find swim floats for toddlers that weigh less than 30 lbs. I was able to find life jackets for as young as infant but my son (15 months) is terrified of wearing the life jacket as itās hard to move his neck and see with it on. While I intend on holding my son in the pool this summer and heās signed up for swim lessons, heās a very independent child, heās quite st... More
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Christian
Our childās swim classes used these. Help him learn how to swim! RESTAR Foam Back Floating Safety Swim Bubble with Adjustable Layers Swim Belts Comfortable Waterproof Floaties Device for Kids Swimming Beginner - 4 Color Split Float 11.8in https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KP15JR1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_m4VUCbV4BZ6RR
Parenting books recommendations
Anyone have any parenting books they recommend? I am a sham of 4 boys ( 6 and under) I recently ordered How to talk so little kids will listen... anyone else read this book? Any other parenting books catering to dealing with toddlers and not lose your mind? Tia
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Sara
I second Positive Discipline for Preschoolers; also loved Janet Lansburyās No Bad Kids- and even better (since I never have time to read anymore!) is her podcast, Unruffled. It has dramatically changed how I parent, and is in nice focused short chunks around a specific topic each time. I recommend that one for any parent or caregiver of young children!
Bedtime routines
Hi! I have a 15 month old girl and she has been given a bottle in her crib to help her fall asleep. Iām trying to get away from that. Iām thinking of trying a new routine like a bath then a bottle and read to her then brush her teeth and put her down but Iām curious as to what everyone else does. I really want to incorporate books because she wonāt let me read to her unless she has a bottle
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Sanam
My son is 20 months and has refused any other type of sippy cup. Our routine is read two books, bath, bottle during bath, then brush his teeth and then he goes to bed. He used to get a bottle during his nap also, but we cut that one out. I prefer he gets a solid serving of milk at least once a day. My doctor said it was fine as long as we brushed after. Good luck!
Rant: Easter family issues
My family gets together every Easter for lunch at my motherās. We basically get together for the main holidays and every few months for birthdays. This year, my sisterās kids were going to be at their dadās. Their dad is now letting the kids go with my sister on Easter. Rather than going to my momās, they are going to her boyfriendās family get together and skipping my momās. My sist... More
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Anonymous
It sounds like the issue is her boyfriend? Is it just him that doesnāt want to go to your family stuff or do you think itās her too? My husband isnāt a fan of my family gatherings... my family knows it and they donāt really bring it up to me anymore because they know itās a sensitive topic. If anything, theyāll just say āhey, we really miss having you at these events. What can we change so you ... More
2.5 yr old isn't asleep.
So my 2.5 yr old has always gone to sleep like clockwork. Even tonight right on cue he declares bedtime and we went through his ritual and said goodnight. But tonight he keeps getting up. He's not fussing or making noise. He is just sitting quietly in his room reading with the light on. If I go in he turns the light off and gets in bed. Then he is up again 5 minutes later. I am just really ... More
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Cathy
I think he might be going to bed too early? He just might not be tired. My son is two months younger than yours. We have a bath at 7. In bed by 8. Asleep by 9. Remember, the older they get, the less sleep they need. Also try to keep him active in the afternoon to help him crash. He could also be awake since itās still light out.
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Amanda
@ Cathy I was going to push his bed time back but he stopped napping altogether. Does your son still nap? We have an hour of quiet time in the afternoon instead now. I don't think it's because it's summer. He has blackout curtains in his room because it kept him up when he was younger. Update: he did it again. Did not nap today either.
Easter traditions
What are your fun Easter traditions? My kids will be the only kids at our family get together this year (other than my 13 y/o nephew). I want to make this a fun one for my littles!
Encouraging independent play
My son is an only child. He does not play well by himself. I always have to play with him or watch him do the playing. If I step away to do some āadultingāheās begging that I watch this, look at this look at that. I try to mix up His toys but he is a child that really needs someONE to play with not things, I think. Heāll be an only child so he needs to learn independent play. How do I encou... More
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MamaNukesYopolo
He will definitely at moments need social Play. But there are also ways to encourage independent play. The hands on as we grow blog (handsomaswegrow.com, a pop up will show up in a few seconds inviting you to the challenge) has a week long challenge coming up next week that is focused on independent play, they give you an activity each day to try. My personal advice is itās a combo of rotating... More
Easter Egg Content Ideas for 2 yr olds?
Iāve never done an Easter egg hunt as a kid or put one together. I see that most people put candy in the eggs for older kids. Ideas for 2 yr olds? Iāve gotten some suggestions like stickers, goldfish crackers, Cheerios, and stamps.. what else?
Friday the 13th birthday party?
My daughterās birthday this year is on Friday the 13th. We are big Halloween fans in our family so I want to incorporate some of this into her party but still keep it girly. Any suggestions?
Activity for introverted 5 y/o
I would really like to get my son involved in an activity. He does not like group sports due to the sensory overload. It is not a good fit for him right now. I think he would do well in music lessons or karate where it is a more individual experience... my main goal is to build his confidence. Anyone else have any activities their introverted child has done well in? Is 5 old enough ... More
Sensory play ideas for baby who eats it all
My 7 month old is an epic chewer - EVERYTHING goes into her mouth as she explores. I'm vigilant at home to keep choking hazards out of reach, but I want to start taking her out to the park and trying some sensory play activities but how do i let her semi-independently explore and learn without swallowing rocks and sand and trash? Any advice? And what were your favorite play activities in ... More
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Destinee
My daughter loves rainbow spaghetti! You cook a box of spaghetti noodles, drain, add a TINY bit of oil and stir. Then you divide it up and add the food coloring you like, lit it dry for an hour in parchment and let her go at it! I usually do two boxes of noodles and divide it into four colors and put it in one of those long plastic totes made for storing clothes and put a cheap plastic shower c... More
Wedding guest colors
So, I'm attending a wedding soon. I know the traditional rules are to not wear white so I selected a pink sheath. However, I recently found out from the brides mother that the wedding dress is actually a blush pink... the same shade as my sheath. Would it still be appropriate to wear? Or should I return it?
Interesting video on the benefits of risky play!
Thoughts? Would you let your kids play with tools? https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.vox.com/platform/amp/videos/2019/2/21/XXX-XXXX4/risky-playground-design
Dumbo
Has anyone seen the new Dumbo movie yet? Iām wondering if it is too sad or scary for a 2 year old.
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Joanna
Common Sense Media is a good resource. It recommends 8+. I'm not taking my almost 5 yo. He gets very emotional during movies. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/dumbo-0.
Reading books
my 17 mo refuses to let me read to him. Once he sees a book he will look at it and try to tear at it or eat it and will not stay still for me to read. He will also take the book away and throw it! How can I get him to sit still so I can read to him
Wonāt let me read books
My 2 year old always says āno mama, no bookā when I open a book. He will do his best to close it (including sitting on it if I resist). He always wants to to play cars or something else, which Iām cool with, but you know, all the blogs and guidance say read to your kids daily. Iāve tried reading aloud while he plays as well as just sitting silently with a book, but itās as if he is jealous of t... More
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Tracy
Make sure that you are demonstrating that reading books is something that adults do for entertainment, meaning donāt read books on your phone. Get real ones and read them while he plays. Magazines count too because honestly small kids donāt play long enough for you to get through more than a page or two. Also spread his books around the house. Have some in his room and in the living room. Make ... More
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Karla
Donāt force it, if you do, he might end up resenting it. Reading a book is not about the act of reading, itās about the interaction and learning language. So if he doesnāt want to do it, thatās fine. Look for other activities that promote interaction and communication. If he wants to play with cars, play with him or broadcast what he is doing. Broadcasting is a great way to promote language de... More
Ideas when sick
So the stomach bug has taken over my entire family and we are going on about day 8. It has been horrible!! And now I am very sick and the last to get it. I am a stay at home mom with my 13month old and 3 1/2 year old. What ideas does anyone have to pass the time and the pain at home to get though all this? My 13month old doesnt know any better and he is all over the place...my 3 1/2 year old wi... More
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Olivia
This cold and flu season is THE WORST, isn't it? I empathize with your pain. Do either of your kids like to color? I went back and forth about buying Crayola Color Wonder products as they are more costly than standard washable pens and paint BUT they allow my daughter to get creative without me worrying about the potential mess she's making. The pens only work on the accompanying paper.... More
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Jessie
Thatās rough, Iām sorry! Iām a stay-at-home mom, and we unfortunately donāt get any sick days. For your 3 1/2 year old Iād suggest a tablet where they can switch through different shows on their own. For your 13 month I suggest Baby Einstein or Mother Goose Club. Anything that has a lot of singing. I know itās suggested that kids shouldnāt be in front of a screen all day, but hey, mommy needs a... More