Photo: Flickr, OliBac

Take a look around the room in which you’re sitting right now. What do you see? Odds are good you saw at least one or two things which to you aren’t the least bit threatening, but which to a curious toddler can be very dangerous. The power cord that is charging your phone and dangling from your side table, a curtain that drapes down just far enough for little stretched fingers, a top-heavy stool — any of these is a potential hazard to a child. But what can you do about it? Follow these do’s and don’t's for some tips and tricks on how to child-proof your home.

Do get down on your hands and knees

The best way to child-proof your home is to think like a child, and the best way to think like a child is to see the world from his eyes. Get down on your hands and knees and look around for a bit. What are those things on the wall that look like smiley faces (and, more importantly, what’s around here that I can stick in them)? What can I reach? What can I get tangled in, fall over, or bump into? What can I put in my mouth? What can I swallow? It won’t be the most comfortable experience of your life, but it just might be the most important one. { read more }

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Photo: Flickr, peterme

We’ve all been there: you’ve changed your baby’s diaper, fed/nursed her, put her down for a nap, played with her, rocked her, sang to her, and pled with her, but still she won’t sleep! Dealing with a cranky baby can leave both parents and baby in a pretty fussy mood, and it can cause a lot of anxiety. Thankfully, though no two babies are the same, there are some tried and tested tactics you can employ to soothe your cranky newborn.

Bounce the newborn

No, I don’t mean bounce her off the floor in frustration. I mean bounce her in your arms. Rocking is a solid standby, but when my daughter was a newborn she wavered between liking to be rocked and liking to be bounced. And she punished her mom and me if we opted for the wrong choice. To make matters worse, her preferred bouncing method varied, too. Sometimes a gentle bounce in my arms sufficed, while other times she preferred a more vigorous bounce in my arms on an exercise ball. When you have a cranky newborn, you have to be willing to try anything. { read more }

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Photo: Flickr, elbragon

No parent likes to leave their child in someone else’s hands. But as hard as it can be on you, odds are good it’s even harder on your child. Read on for a few tips and tricks to help your toddler deal with separation anxiety.

Do the prep work

Before simply dropping off your child suddenly, lay the groundwork for a smooth transition. If possible, talk about the separation far ahead of time, and be as specific as you can. Children feel better when they know what to expect, so tell them exactly what they can expect to happen: where they’re going, with whom, and for how long. And, of course, always follow it up by telling them when either you are their other parent will be back to collect them.

Don’t dawdle at drop-off

Kids pick up on cues from their parents. That’s not to say you toddler will be all smiles at drop-off time just because you are; but the odds are better than if you sulk and show anxiety about it, too. So put on a happy face, use positive words and good body language, tell your toddler how much fun he’s going to have, make the drop-off, and then make a hasty getaway. But don’t run.

Leave him with a keepsake

If your toddler’s separation anxiety is especially peaked, consider leaving him with a little keepsake — a reminder of you. It can be anything from a photo of your, to a blanket with your scent on it, to a special something the two of you share. And, of course, if he has a security blanket or stuffed animal, bring that long, too.

Don’t diminish your child’s feelings

It’s all too easy to forget that toddlers don’t share our sense of the passage of time. Hours can seem like minutes when they’re having fun (five more minutes, mom, please?), or days when they’re not. Try to resist the impulse to rationalize what’s going on, as doing so can give them the message that their feelings aren’t valid.

Remind yourself that these strong reactions aren’t simply a toddler being dramatic; your toddler’s feelings, no matter how irrational, are nevertheless real to him, and must be taken seriously. Empathize with him by acknowledging his feelings and telling him it’s okay for him to feel them. And then remind him how much better he’ll feel when you come pick him up.

Be patient

Most toddlers go through a stage of separation anxiety at least once, and many experience it several times. Remember to be patient with your child, and remember that even though it’s heartbreaking to leave your child when he’s sad, it would be even more heartbreaking to leave a child who doesn’t care that you’re leaving.

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Photo: Flickr, subewl

Every father whose baby is born somewhere other than at home will tell you: that first car ride with your baby is the most nerve-wracking experience of your life. Speed bumps feel like a car chase through the streets of San Francisco, eighteen wheelers in the next lane never seemed so close, and the safety of your home has never seemed so far away. Thankfully, car seats these days offer the best protection available for your most precious cargo. But which one should you buy for your child? What should you look for, and how will you install it? Read on for tips and tricks on buying a car seat for your new baby.

Car seat safety days

The most important aspect of choosing a car seat for your child is, of course, safety. That’s what it’s all about. Luckily, many communities offer car seat safety days, during which helpful information is offered about types of car seats, where to get them, how to install them, and how to use them. Check listings at hospitals, police stations, and fire stations for listings of local safety information sessions. { read more }

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Photo: Flickr, threelayercake

It all started so well: after months of solid breastfeeding, our now 14-month-old took to solid foods like a duck to water, easily and greedily downing anything she could get her tiny fists on. Beets, carrots, hummus, beans, even the dreaded brussel sprouts, nothing was safe when she was hungry. And then tragedy struck. We introduced her to fruit. After that, it was all downhill. Bananas replaced beets, and then blueberries replaced bananas, until the only foods our now-picky eater would eat were those you could smash and pour into a box with a straw.

Something had to be done. My wife and I searched and plotted until we eventually came up with a few healthy reliable stand-bys. Now, when our fussy eater turns downright obstinate at lunch time, we know we can always turn to one of the following healthy meals for our toddler. The following is just a sampling of what works for us; you’ll probably have to make a few changes for your own toddler’s taste, but this is a good place to start. Godspeed to you, and your fussy eater. { read more }

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Photo: LaPrimaDonna, Flickr

Parenting multiple children is a challenging job that at times can feel more like a juggling act than anything else. Thankfully, as children mature, you can start to count on them to govern themselves more and more. But what kinds of activities keep an older sibling entertained and a younger sibling safe? Read on to find out.

Activity #1: Have them complete some light chores

Children like feeling useful, and they like staying busy. Once your kids are old enough to focus on a job, set them to light tasks like wiping down table and glass surfaces. Your younger child can spray the cleaning solution (non-toxic solutions are widely available now, or you can make your own) while the sibling does the wiping. { read more }

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Photo: crimfants, Flickr

For new parents, leaving a child with a babysitter can be an anxiety-producing proposition. It gets a little easier after the first time, but there’s always a bit of a risk, and some parents worry a lot about leaving their child. With a second child, it is usually easier to leave the kids with a professional babysitter; but how old is old enough for one child to babysit another? Read on for a list of questions to ask yourself (and your child) to find out.

What is the age difference between your children?

Sibling rivalry is pretty natural among children, but it is often more intense among siblings with little age difference between them. So while it may be okay to leave a twelve-year-old with his six-year-old sister for an hour or two (or more, depending on your specific situation), the same twelve-year-old’s ten-year-old brother might be a bit more of a challenge than for which the former is prepared. A good rule of thumb is: the closer the age difference between an older child and his next youngest sibling, the older he needs to be to be ready to take on a babysitting role. { read more }

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Photo: emdot, Flickr

Pacifiers can be very useful tools for your new baby. Suckling comes naturally to babies, and a reliable pacifier can be a great way to soothe them when nursing is not an option. Sooner or later, though, you’ll want to wean your baby off her pacifier. But doing so is sometimes easier said than done. Read on for some helpful tips and methods on weaning your baby off a pacifier.

Weaning method #1: Cold turkey

Only for the brave of heart, cutting out the pacifier “cold turkey” (in other words, altogether, with no transition period) is a sure-fire method of ending your baby’s pacifier addiction. But if you choose this method, be prepared: while some babies adjust easily to the transition, others may find the sudden loss difficult to bear. Mentally prepare yourself for a few long, sleepless nights. { read more }

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Photo: Photocapy, Flickr

First-time parents take on a lot with the arrival of their new baby. From sleep deprivation to buying baby clothes and furniture, to learning how to change a diaper. Without a doubt, learning all the skills and products you’ll need for your new arrival can be overwhelming. And when it comes to packing a diaper bag, new parents often feel the need to take with them everything their new baby could possibly need. Thankfully, this isn’t necessary. But there are some things you will want on hand before venturing out of the house. Here are the top 10 things new parents should carry in their diaper bags.

Extra diapers

Not for nothing is it called a diaper bag. Unless you’re going for an all-day trip, you won’t need more than about three to four extra diapers. But you will need at least one or two, so don’t forget this most essential item. { read more }

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Photo: ruurmo, Flickr

Spring is a season that’s hard not to enjoy. Whether you live in Chicago or New Orleans, Los Angeles or New York, spring is a winner. It’s a time to shake the cold off your bones and breathe in the fresh scents of blooming flowers. And if you’re fortunate enough to have an outdoor area at home, it’s also the best time to enjoy your very own spring garden. Here are just a few of the many reasons to love a great spring garden.

A spring garden is visual evidence that winter is over

Even for those of us who live in moderate climates, the end of winter is a thing to celebrate. But for you poor unfortunate souls who live in cooler climes, the end of winter doesn’t necessarily mean the end of cold weather. Early spring still brings cool to cold weather in a lot of places, especially after dark, and when cool fronts come in it can often be hard to tell when winter ends and spring begins. That’s where your garden comes in. Even when it’s too chilly for comfort outside, the sight of those summer squash, watermelon, and tomato buds sprouting to life is visual proof that spring is well on its way in, and the cold weather is well on its way out. { read more }

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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